HYDERABAD: Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy introduced a resolution in the state assembly opposing population-based delimitation of constituencies. He expressed concerns that the Centre’s plans for increasing constituencies based on population might harm South Indian states.
The Chief Minister recalled that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had opposed such a move in the past, fearing it would disrupt the harmony between states. As a result, the law was amended to ensure a balanced delimitation process.
Revanth Reddy warned that with the renewed discussions on delimitation, South Indian states are facing a crisis. He asserted that if the Centre proceeds with this policy in a way that disadvantages the South, the states must strongly resist. He emphasized that South Indian states have strictly implemented family planning measures and should not be penalized for their population control efforts.
According to the Chief Minister, if delimitation is carried out based on population, the representation of South Indian states in Parliament could drop from 24% to 19%. He accused the Centre of using the delimitation process as a tool to suppress the political influence of the South.
Revanth Reddy called for a united political stance on this issue, urging all parties to pressure the Centre. He highlighted that under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana were supposed to undergo a constituency delimitation process. However, the Centre has shown discrimination by delaying it for these states while proceeding with similar exercises elsewhere.
The Chief Minister pointed out that in response to his question in Parliament, the Centre had stated that delimitation would be conducted only after the 2026 census. However, in Jammu and Kashmir, the government amended the Constitution to increase the number of constituencies from 83 to 90 based on the 2011 census. Similarly, in Sikkim, the process was initiated in 2018 through a cabinet resolution.
Revanth Reddy stated that this resolution was introduced in the assembly to expose the Centre’s double standards. He urged that all political parties should come together to negotiate with the Centre on this issue and, if necessary, take up an agitation.
He announced that a meeting of all political parties would soon be convened under the leadership of Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka and senior leader Jana Reddy. He appealed to all parties to participate in the discussions.
