Patil accused the BJP of using delimitation to weaken southern states' political power due to lack of support in the region. CM Siddaramaiah, MK Stalin, and P Vijayan have also opposed the proposal
Published Mar 06, 2025 | 5:56 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 06, 2025 | 5:56 PM
Delimitation Is a conspiracy by the BJP to control South India: Dr. Sharan Prakash Patil
Synopsis: Dr. Sharan Prakash Patil, Karnataka’s Minister for Medical Education, criticised the BJP-led central government’s proposed delimitation plan, calling it a “conspiracy” to undermine southern states. He expressed concerns that the plan would reduce their representation in Parliament, accusing the BJP of trying to control the region amid its growing success. Patil warned of potential negative consequences for southern states
Dr. Sharan Prakash Patil, Karnataka’s Minister for Medical Education, Skill Development, Livelihood, Entrepreneurship, and Raichur district in-charge, has strongly criticised the BJP-led central government’s proposed delimitation plan.
Patil called it a “conspiracy” to undermine the southern states, accusing the BJP of using the plan to impose control over the region.
Speaking to reporters at Vidhana Soudha, Dr. Patil expressed his concerns about the potential impact of the delimitation exercise, which he said could lead to a significant reduction in representation for southern states in Parliament.
He claimed that the BJP government, rattled by the growing success of southern states, is now attempting to curb their influence through this move.
Dr. Patil argued that the proposed delimitation, based on population, is unjust to southern states like Karnataka, which have successfully implemented population control measures for decades.
He pointed out that northern states, which have not managed population growth effectively, would benefit from this approach. “Karnataka and other southern states have made significant efforts in population control, unlike their northern counterparts,” he noted.
The minister also criticised the central government for what he referred to as a history of deceiving southern states in tax distribution. “Now, under the guise of delimitation, they are once again targeting the south,” he said.
Patil suggested that the BJP’s efforts to impose delimitation are a reaction to the lack of significant support for the party in the south. He accused the BJP of trying to weaken the political power of southern states, which have seen progress in various sectors.
He argued that the proposed plan aims to reduce the number of representatives from the south in Parliament, limiting their political influence.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has already voiced strong opposition to the proposal, responding directly to Union Minister Amit Shah’s suggestion.
Siddaramaiah, along with Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin and BRS Working President KT Rama Rao, opposed the exercise set to be based on the 2026 census. He warned that basing the process on population figures would lead to “severe injustice” for Karnataka and other southern states.
“Amit Shah’s claim that southern states will not be disadvantaged is misleading and aims to create confusion,” Siddaramaiah said in a statement.
He further questioned whether the delimitation would be based on the updated population ratio or the current number of Lok Sabha seats. “If the Union government wants fairness, the Home Minister must clarify the basis for the delimitation process,” he added.
Similarly, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and Kerala Chief Minister P Vijayan have also expressed their dissatisfaction with the population-based delimitation proposal and have countered the BJP’s plans.
The DMK-led Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday, 5 March, organised an all-party meeting against the delimitation of parliamentary constituencies based on the 2026 Census stating that it would affect the state’s representation.
During the meeting, Chief Minister MK Stalin said that the delimitation based on population would be a punishment for the Southern states who effectively implemented population control measures.
He urged all political parties to rise above party lines and unite in raising their voice against the “unfair proposal”.
A total of 56 parties participated in the meeting, including the AIADMK and all alliance parties of the DMK. Five parties, including the BJP, Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), Tamil Manila Congress, boycotted the meeting.
Dr. Patil specifically pointed out that if the delimitation is carried out based on population, Karnataka could lose two of its 28 Lok Sabha seats, reducing its representation from 28 to 26. “The people of Karnataka will not tolerate this injustice,” he warned.
In a strong statement, Dr. Patil declared, “We Kannadigas will not accept this injustice. As our chief minister has emphasised, the southern states must stand united against the BJP’s moves.”
He urged MPs from Karnataka, including those from BJP and JD(S), to speak up and raise their voices against what he termed as an unfair and disproportionate move. “Delimitation should be carried out fairly and proportionally,” Patil concluded.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
