The issue of Lok Sabha constituency delimitation has once again sparked a nationwide debate, with Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy raising serious concerns over its potential impact on southern states. He warned that if the proposed delimitation is carried out purely on the basis of population, it could significantly reduce the political representation of southern states in Parliament.
In response, Revanth Reddy has written letters to several southern leaders, including Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangaswamy. Through these communications, he urged all southern states to unite and collectively address the issue to safeguard their political interests.
Currently, the Lok Sabha has 543 seats, but proposals are being discussed to increase this number to around 850 based on population growth. Revanth Reddy pointed out that such a move would disproportionately benefit northern states with higher population growth, while reducing the relative share of southern states. He emphasized that states which have effectively controlled population growth over the years should not be penalized politically.
He also criticized attempts to link women’s reservation with the delimitation process, stating that such moves could create confusion among the public. According to him, any decision affecting representation must uphold the spirit of federalism and ensure fair treatment for all states.
Revanth Reddy concluded by calling for unity among southern states to protect their rightful representation and maintain balance in India’s federal structure. The delimitation issue is expected to remain a major political topic in the coming months.
