The government on Thursday accused the DMK of indulging in a “political stunt” over delimitation of Tamil Nadu’s Lok Sabha seats as Parliament debates the proposed legislation that mandates a 50 per cent increase in Lok Sabha and Assembly seats, along with a “quota within quota” provision, sources told India Today TV on Thursday.
Tamil Nadu will see a sharp jump in representation, with its Lok Sabha seats projected to rise from 39 to 59. Assembly constituencies of 31 states and Union Territories will also be redrawn on the same Census basis, with the total number of seats potentially increasing from 4,123 to 6,186 under delimitation.
The DMK has opposed delimitation, arguing that a population-based redrawing of constituencies would reduce the political weight of southern states like Tamil Nadu, which have effectively controlled population growth, while benefiting more populous northern states and weakening the South’s voice in Parliament and the federal balance.
The Lok Sabha strength is proposed to be increased to 815 seats, of which 272 seats – one-third of the House – will be reserved for women. This provision is linked to the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, which seeks to implement the women’s reservation law by reserving one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies for women, along with related changes to the delimitation framework.
In the current Lok Sabha, women make up only about 15 percent of MPs.
Government sources said that the proposed delimitation exercise will be based on the 2011 Census and is aimed at significantly expanding electoral representation across the country. As part of the plan, Lok Sabha and state Assembly seats are expected to increase by around 50 per cent.
The delimitation bill also introduces a “quota within quota” provision, ensuring vertical reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes within the women’s reservation framework, government sources said.
Southern parties, particularly the DMK, opposed delimitation, arguing that a population-based redrawing of constituencies could reduce the relative political weight of southern states like Tamil Nadu, which have successfully implemented population control policies. The party has warned that this could strengthen more populous northern states and weaken the South’s voice in Parliament.
However, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday sought to allay concerns and said the exercise will benefit southern states, while outlining a significant increase in their representation. He said Karnataka’s seats will rise from 28 to 42, Andhra Pradesh from 25 to 38, Telangana from 17 to 26, Tamil Nadu from 39 to 59 and Kerala from 20 to 30.
Shah said that collectively, southern states are projected to see their share increase from 129 to 195 seats, accounting for about 24 per cent of the total 850 Lok Sabha seats under the proposed framework.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that no state – big or small, north or south, east or west – will be discriminated against in the delimitation exercise linked to the implementation of women’s reservation law.
– Ends
Published By:
Prateek Chakraborty
Published On:
Apr 16, 2026 18:49 IST
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