HYDERABAD: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reconsider the proposed pro-rata expansion of Lok Sabha seats, warning that it is “fraught with dangers” and could lead to a structural shift in political power with implications for national unity.
In a detailed letter on Tuesday, he called for an all-party meeting with representation from all states to deliberate on the issue “in a transparent and inclusive manner”, and proposed a hybrid model as an alternative framework.
“The proposal to increase Lok Sabha seats on either population or pro-rata model is not acceptable to many states… I wish to bring to your notice our serious concerns… which, if done on a pro-rata basis, is fraught with dangers for the country,” he stated.
Revanth argued that the issue was not merely technical but central to the federal balance, cautioning that an exclusive reliance on population would lead to a “severe and irreversible distortion” in representation.
He proposed that the planned increase from 543 to 850 seats be split evenly: half allocated on a pro-rata basis and the remaining half based on economic contribution and performance indicators such as GSDP and human development outcomes.
“Since you are proposing to increase existing Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 850 seats, half of this can be done on a pro-rata basis. The remaining half must be done based on economic contribution (GSDP), and other performance criteria,” he wrote.
Positioning the hybrid model as a balancing mechanism, he said it would align representation with contribution while preserving fairness across regions.
Proposed model could shift political power to populous states: CM
The chief minister stressed that southern states had, over decades, aligned with national priorities by pursuing population stabilisation, improving public health, and achieving higher human development outcomes. However, under the current proposal, “these very states are being structurally disadvantaged and politically unempowered”. “It is very clear that the Centre has not fully and carefully analysed… the consequences… especially on the southern states,” he said.
He warned that the proposed system would shift political power towards regions with higher population growth, stating: “The consequence of a pro rata model is not merely a statistical adjustment; it will result in a systemic shift in political power.”
Drawing a parallel with existing fiscal disparities, Revanth added: “We are facing severe financial injustice… But with this change in Lok Sabha seats, we will be punished with political injustice over and above continued financial and policy discrimination.”
He said southern states, despite being major contributors to the national economy, would see a relative erosion of their voice in Parliament, effectively creating a situation where demographic expansion is rewarded over development outcomes.
“It is not a question of numbers; it is a fundamental question of equity, fairness, and the integrity of the Nation itself,” he said, cautioning that ignoring regional contributions could create perceptions of imbalance with wider implications for national unity.