Published Apr 17, 2026 | 10:47 AM ⚊ Updated Apr 17, 2026 | 10:47 AM
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin
Synopsis: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin demanded that the BJP-led Union government completely withdraw the delimitation Bill, which was tabled in the Lok Sabha. Stalin demanded a complete freeze on delimitation similar to the earlier decisions.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Friday, 17 April, demanded that the BJP-led Union government completely withdraw the delimitation Bill, which was tabled in the Lok Sabha on Thursday.
In a post on X, Stalin said Friday is crucial for Tamil Nadu, as the outcome of the state’s protest will be revealed.
“Following our fierce opposition and protests, the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister provided a verbal assurance in Parliament on Thursday that Tamil Nadu’s constituency size will not be reduced,” he said.
Further, Stalin demanded a complete freeze on delimitation similar to the earlier decisions.
“What we demand is a statutory protection like the one former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Vajpayee provided through a constitutional amendment, freezing delimitation for 25 years,” Stalin said.
The Union government has proposed increasing the number of Lok Sabha seats to 850 as part of its intention to implement the Women’s Reservation Act from the 2029 Lok Sabha polls, with 815 seats proposed to the states and the remaining 35 for the Union Territories.
Southern leaders fear that fresh delimitation without safeguards could shift political power critically towards more populous northern states.
Also Read: ‘There will be no injustice to any southern state in delimitation,’ says Amit Shah
Stalin further said that the state is rejecting the current Bill tabled in the Lok Sabha.
“However, as the saying goes — words are one thing, actions another — the Bill they have tabled is nothing short of a complete deception. We categorically reject it. It cannot be trusted, nor can it be accepted,” he said.
“Through the extensive powers granted to the Delimitation Commission in this Bill, they can, whenever they wish, in whatever manner they choose, at any time in the future, alter the constituency sizes of Indian states to their advantage. This black law contains provisions that pave the way for such changes. This Bill is laden with a grand conspiracy.”
“It must not be passed in haste. The Union Government must withdraw it entirely. If, in the arrogance of their numerical strength, they push it through despite our opposition, they will have to face the consequences in Tamil Nadu,” he added.
Stalin also said that the Union government, while claiming to protect state rights, is engaged in systematically dismantling them bit by bit.
On Thursday, three key bills — the Constitution (131st) Amendment Bill, the Delimitation Bill, 2026, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 — were tabled in the Lok Sabha, with the government having said these are aimed at expediting the implementation of 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and the state Assemblies.
Union Law Minister Arjun Meghwal introduces the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Delimitation Bill, 2026. Home Minister Amit Shah tables the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in Lok Sabha.
Moreover, Tamil Nadu, led by Chief Minister Stalin, have been holding protests against the Bill, claiming that it would affect the representation of the state, along with other southern states,
