CHENNAI: In a consultative meeting held under the chairmanship of DMK president and Chief Minister MK Stalin, party MPs have resolved to draw attention to the alleged delimitation issue in the Parliament. The meeting of DMK MPs came on the eve of the resumption of the session on Monday.
The MPs will also coordinate with the political leaders of seven states which stand to be affected by the alleged delimitation and bring them together in the fight against it, as discussed in the meeting held at the party headquarters on Sunday.
According to sources, the CM said each team comprising a minister and an MP will separately visit each of these seven states and explain the situation to leaders there in person. This was also to invite the other state parties’ representatives to the Joint Action Committee meeting on delimitation convened by the CM on March 22.
Sources said a team led by minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan is leaving for Kerala, while minister EV Velu’s team is visiting Andhra Pradesh. The team headed by Thoothukudi MP Kanimozhi is expected to visit West Bengal, while TRB Rajaa is headed to Odisha. Other teams are yet to be formed.
Meanwhile, three resolutions were adopted at the meeting, the first of which criticised the union government for its “confusing” explanations on the methodology for delimitation, which is likely to be done on the basis of population. The resolution said the BJP has plotted to decrease the number of MPs of the southern states, including Tamil Nadu which excelled in implementing population-control measures.
“In support of the CM’s efforts, MPs will raise the issues of ‘Hindi imposition’, disparity in fund allotments to the state and delimitation in the Parliament and ensure that the state loses no seat and maintains its proportion,” the resolution reads.
The second resolution said the DMK MPs, along with MPs of coalition parties, will coordinate with the parties in seven states — Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, Odisha, West Bengal and Punjab — and bring them together in this fight.
They will also involve MPs of INDIA bloc and other MPs interested in “safeguarding democracy”, as per the third resolution.
Speaking to reporters, DMK Rajya Sabha member Tiruchi Siva said, “In the second part of the Parliament’s budget session, we all will raise our voice in various ways through adjournment motion, zero hour, special mention and short duration discussion. We will utilise every chance available to draw the attention of the centre (to the issue).”
Asked whether it was too early to take up this issue, Siva said, “The delimitation is scheduled for 2026. Anticipating it, we are prepared and awake.”