Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has warned of a “massive” agitation if the Centre’s proposed delimitation exercise harms the state or disproportionately increases the political power of northern states.
In a video message, Stalin said a special session of Parliament scheduled for April 16 was being “forcibly convened” right ahead of elections in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal to push through a constitutional amendment on delimitation.
“If Tamil Nadu is affected, we will not keep quiet. We will make the entire nation notice,” he said, adding that the state would “rise” in protest if its interests were undermined.
‘ASSAULT ON DEMOCRACY’
Stalin alleged that the Centre was attempting to “bulldoze” the amendment without consultation or clarity. “This hurried attempt to push through delimitation is a blatant assault on democracy… and a direct assault on the rights of states,” he said.
The DMK supremo said the central government had shared no details with opposition parties on how the exercise would be conducted, raising concerns across southern states.
“When such secrecy surrounds this process, it only strengthens the suspicion that a grave danger lies beneath,” he noted.
Questioning the use of population as a basis for redrawing constituencies, Stalin pointed out that Tamil Nadu had complied with the Centre’s push for population control. “Is this now the punishment for having done what was asked of us with discipline?” he asked.
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said he had sought assurances from Prime Minister Narendra Modi that southern states would not be adversely affected by delimitation, but had received no response. Requests for a meeting with MPs from various parties were also denied, he added.
He noted that senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi had raised similar concerns, but the government had yet to clarify its position.
Stalin said DMK MPs would participate in the upcoming session but warned of mass protests if the delimitation exercise tilted the balance of power. “If anything is done that harms Tamil Nadu we will not remain silent. Every family will take to the streets,” he warned.
Pledging to lead the agitation, the DMK chief said the state would revive the spirit of past Dravidian movements.
“Do not assume you can quietly carry out delimitation in Delhi This is a warning,” he said, asserting that “the rights of states matter” above electoral considerations.
Elections 2026 | Tamil Nadu Election | Tamil Nadu Election Constituencies | Tamil Nadu Election Schedule
