The proposed delimitation initiative by the central government has faced significant backlash from Karnataka’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of trying to undermine the representation of southern states through what he described as a “manipulative restructuring.”
In a post on X on Sunday, Siddaramaiah asserted that the Prime Minister’s recent assurances to southern states regarding the delimitation were more politically motivated than genuinely statesmanlike, suggesting these comments were strategically timed in relation to upcoming elections in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Providing a comparative analysis of the anticipated distribution of Lok Sabha seats, the Chief Minister indicated that the proposed changes disproportionately benefit states governed by the BJP. He noted that Uttar Pradesh is set to increase its representation from 80 to 120 seats (a gain of 40), Maharashtra from 48 to 72 seats (a gain of 24), Bihar from 40 to 60 (a gain of 20), Madhya Pradesh from 29 to approximately 44 (a gain of 14-15), Rajasthan from 25 to around 38 (a gain of 12-13), and Gujarat from 26 to 39 (a gain of 13). In contrast, the gains for southern states are notably smaller. Karnataka’s representation would increase from 28 to 42 (a gain of 14), Tamil Nadu from 39 to 58-59 (a gain of 20), Andhra Pradesh from 25 to 37-38 (a gain of 12-13), Telangana from 17 to 25-26 (a gain of 8-9), and Kerala from 20 to 30 (a gain of 10). Siddaramaiah highlighted that while the southern states collectively add only 63-66 seats, the seven BJP-led states gain approximately 128-131 seats, nearly double that amount.
Siddaramaiah further argued that even after the Lok Sabha expands to 816 seats, the southern states will maintain a mere 24 percent share of the total. He emphasized that states that have successfully managed population control and governance are being unfairly penalized, cautioning that Karnataka, a vital contributor to the nation’s growth, may be intentionally marginalized.
Pointing out the growing disparity in political representation, Siddaramaiah noted that Uttar Pradesh currently has 52 more seats than Karnataka, a gap that is projected to widen to 78 after the delimitation. He also mentioned that Maharashtra is expected to have 20 to 30 more MPs than Karnataka. “This is not merely an expansion; it’s a concentration of power,” he asserted.
Insisting on the need for equity, respect, and openness, the Chief Minister maintained that such fundamental changes should not be pursued without adequate consultation or public discourse.
He further criticized the Union Government for prioritizing political strategy over addressing national challenges, asserting that the people of Karnataka would strongly resist any efforts to diminish their representation.
