Published Aug 08, 2026 | 9:35 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 08, 2026 | 9:35 PM
Vijay criticised DMK's absence, saying the party that opposed it so strongly all these days did not attend the meeting.
Synopsis: The Tamil Nadu government has decided to vehemently oppose the proposed delimitation move without compromise, with a resolution against the exercise likely to be adopted during the ongoing Assembly session.
The TVK-led government in Tamil Nadu will table a resolution in the legislative Assembly, opposing any delimitation move in the state.
This was decided at an all-party meeting of MPs, chaired by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.
The meeting—skipped by the DMK and AIADMK MPs—decided that the proposed delimitation legislation should not be accepted under any circumstances, regardless of its recommendations.
Lawmakers who attended the meeting indicated that the DMK might accept the delimitation proposal if the recommendation is to increase the number of Lok Sabha constituencies by 50% uniformly across all states.
As many as 20 MPs from various parties attended the meeting. They included 12 from the Congress (nine Lok Sabha MPs and three Rajya Sabha MPs), two from the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), one from the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), two from the Communist Party of India (CPI), two from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], and one from the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).
Meanwhile, 37 MPs belonging to the DMK (30), AIADMK (four), PMK (one), DMDK (one) and Makkal Needhi Maiam (one) did not participate in the meeting.
Also Read: Has DMK really changed its stand on delimitation?
The absence of DMK and AIADMK has reportedly angered the chief minister.
An MP who attended the meeting told South First that the chief minister specifically mentioned the absence of DMK MPs.
“The party that opposed it so strongly all these days has not attended the meeting,” Vijay reportedly said.
The MP further said, “They (the meeting) have decided that even if the recommendation is to increase the number of constituencies by 50% uniformly across all states, delimitation should not be accepted.”
The meeting also resolved to put the delimitation exercise on hold.
The MP said a resolution opposing delimitation could be adopted during the ongoing Tamil Nadu Assembly session.
Also Read: Delimitation, democracy and federal balance
While the ruling TVK-led government has decided to oppose delimitation without making any compromises, sources said the DMK appeared to be open to accepting a proposal favourable to it.
“When we speak to them, they say that they were the ones who strongly opposed delimitation and therefore they will not give up their stand. But it appears that they are in a position where they could accept delimitation if the recommendation is to increase the number of constituencies by 50% uniformly across all states,” the MP said.
At the same time, the MP said there is little possibility of the delimitation Bill being introduced during the current session of Parliament.
Also Read: The delimitation Bill’s hidden cost
Several MPs spoke to the media after the meeting.
The MPs said the BJP’s position is that the proposal can be supported because the number of constituencies would be increased by 50% across all states. They said several opposition parties have also described this as a positive development.
“Even if the number is increased by 50%, when it is calculated based on the population according to the 2026 Census, Tamil Nadu will still fall within the 50-seat range,” an MP said.
The MPs also said that minority communities currently lacked adequate political representation. They felt that delimitation would adversely affect the minorities across the country.
The MPs also sounded apprehension about the Delimitation Commission’s extensive powers.
“They are giving the Delimitation Commission absolute powers. This commission can take any decision it wants. It is an institution under the Union government,” another MP said.
The MPs said the BJP has been telling opposition parties to support delimitation, saying the number of constituencies would increase by 50% in every state.
“It appears that some parties have indirectly entered into an agreement with the BJP,” an MP alleged.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
