The Joint Action Committee (JAC), comprising states concerned about the ongoing population-based Delimitation process for redrawing Lok Sabha constituencies, has issued a demand for a 25-year freeze on the exercise. The committee also called for transparency and clarity from the BJP-led Union Government.

Several non-BJP opposition parties, including the AAP, Akali Dal, Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Bharatiya Rashtra Samithi (BRS), AIMIM, Kerala Congress, along with Congress and Left parties, united for this cause. Surprisingly, Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena Party (JSP), a member of the NDA, also participated after an invitation from the DMK, which initiated the formation of the JAC.

With the future of the INDIA Bloc uncertain following the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, this new coalition has gained importance. During a unanimous resolution passed in a meeting held in Chennai on Saturday, the JAC advocated for the extension of the freeze on Parliamentary constituencies based on the 1971 population census for another 25 years.

The resolution stated, “Any delimitation exercise undertaken by the Union Government to enhance democracy must be conducted transparently, allowing all political parties, state governments, and other stakeholders to participate in discussions and deliberations.” It was also agreed that the next meeting would take place in Hyderabad.

The rationale behind the demand for a freeze, according to the resolution, is that the legislative intent of the 42nd, 84th, and 87th Constitutional amendments was to protect states that have effectively implemented population control measures. However, the goal of population stabilization remains unachieved.

The committee decided to establish a core group of MPs to coordinate strategies in Parliament and prepare a representation to the Prime Minister. Additionally, political parties will work towards passing resolutions in their respective state assemblies against delimitation. However, the Trinamool Congress and the YSR Congress were absent from the meeting.

In his opening address, Chief Minister Stalin emphasized that the delimitation debate is not just about numbers, but about representation and rights. He warned that a reduction in seats would render certain states politically marginalized, undermining their voice and identity. “We would become political orphans in our own country,” he stated, describing the collective effort needed to challenge the BJP’s opposition to the legitimate rights of states.

There was a rare display of unity between Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy of the Congress and KT Rama Rao of the BRS, both of whom advocated for a permanent freeze on delimitation and suggested that it should only occur for state legislatures. Reddy firmly stated that the southern states would not accept population-based delimitation, which would undermine their status. He called for adherence to the Vajpayee policy of a 25-year freeze.

Reddy dismissed the pro-rata suggestion as unacceptable, insisting that if delimitation were to occur, the current 24% representation of the five southern states should be raised to 33%. Further, Rama Rao indicated that if delimitation is pursued, the status quo must be maintained and stressed that southern India, having contributed significantly to the nation’s GDP, deserves proportional representation in Parliament.

Speaking via video conference, former Odisha Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik criticized population-based delimitation as inherently unfair. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan accused the BJP of pushing the delimitation agenda due to its advantages in northern India, while Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann alleged that the BJP’s goal is to increase seats in regions where it has electoral success and reduce them where it does not.

Sardar Balwinder Singh Bhundar of the Akali Dal pointed out that delimitation is a significant concern for religious and linguistic minorities. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar charged that the BJP is systematically dismantling democratic structures. Echoing Stalin’s sentiments, he asserted that this struggle is about more than just numbers; it relates to the identity and heritage of the southern states, which have rich histories spanning over 1500 years. He also advocated strengthening the Rajya Sabha to balance the power dynamics in the Lok Sabha and called for equal representation for all regional languages.

In response to the BJP’s planned black flag protest against him and Pinarayi Vijayan, Shivakumar humorously remarked, “They said they would greet me with black flags. I am waiting. Where is it?” Meanwhile, the BJP labeled the delimitation discussion as a diversionary tactic by the DMK, with party leaders staging black flag protests at their homes and across the state.