Hyderabad, May 30: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K. T. Rama Rao expressed concerns today over the potential delimitation of Lok Sabha seats based on population after 2026. He argued that such a move would lead to gross injustice for the southern states of India.
KTR highlighted that the southern states had diligently adhered to population control policies set by the central government, displaying a progressive mindset. However, he feared that these states would suffer significant injustice if the delimitation process prioritized population numbers.
Recent reports suggest that if the BJP-led government retains power in the 2024 general elections, they plan to undertake delimitation after 2026. The seating capacity of the newly inaugurated Parliament building, accommodating 888 members in the Lok Sabha chamber and 384 in the Rajya Sabha chamber, has raised concerns about the potential increase in Lok Sabha seats.
Estimations indicate that after delimitation, the number of Lok Sabha constituencies will rise to 848, with Uttar Pradesh and Bihar alone accounting for 222 seats. In contrast, southern states would have only 165 seats, while other states would receive 461 seats.
KTR voiced his discontent, stating, “It is unfair and painful that the southern states, which are moving forward with progressive policies, get fewer Lok Sabha seats due to this new delimitation. On the other hand, it is unfortunate that the states, especially the northern states, which do not control the population despite the Central government’s appeals, are benefiting from the increase in Lok Sabha seats.”
KTR emphasized that it would be unjust if southern states received fewer Lok Sabha seats as a result of delimitation. He argued that states such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana, which had diligently practiced population control, were being severely penalized for their progressive policies.
Furthermore, KTR highlighted that these southern states were not only leading in population control but also excelling in various human development indicators. Despite comprising only 18 percent of the total population, they contribute to 35 percent of the national gross domestic product.
KTR urged leaders and residents of the southern states to rise above political affiliations and voice their opposition to the injustice. He stressed the importance of ensuring that these states, which contribute significantly to national economic development, maintain their deserved representation in the Lok Sabha.
The potential delimitation based on population has raised concerns over the southern states losing their significance in the future. KTR emphasized the need for the voices of these states to be heard and for justice to prevail, urging the southern states to unite against this unfair treatment.
