Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin kick-started the initiative against the imaginary delimitation exercise with non-BJP state CMs and leaders in Chennai at a seven-star hotel in Guindy on March 22. The BJP state unit, alleging that Tamil Nadu has pledged its rights in the Cauvery to Karnataka, the Mullaperiyar to Kerala, and has been dumping hazardous waste into the state, held a black flag demonstration in front of their residences.
The meeting adopted several resolutions, among them one calling for “any delimitation exercise carried out by the Union government to improve the content and character of democracy to be conducted transparently, enabling political parties of all states, state governments, and other stakeholders to deliberate, discuss, and contribute to it.”
நாடாளுமன்றத் தொகுதி மறுசீரமைப்பின் காரணமாக பாதிக்கப்படக்கூடிய இந்தியாவின் பல்வேறு மாநிலக் கட்சிகளின் பிரதிநிதிகளுடனான முதல் கூட்டு நடவடிக்கைக் குழுக் கூட்டத்தில் முக்கியத் தீர்மானங்கள் நிறைவேற்றம்!#CMMKSTALIN | #DyCMUdhay | #TNDIPR | #Fair_Delimitation @CMOTamilnadu @mkstalin pic.twitter.com/NkftOlO5P2
— TN DIPR (@TNDIPRNEWS) March 22, 2025
Taking to his social media handle on X on the 21st, CM Stalin said: “This is more than a meeting. It is the beginning of a movement that will shape the future of our country. I extend my warmest welcome to the leaders from Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, West Bengal, and Punjab who are joining us for the Joint Action Committee meeting on #FairDelimitation. Today’s meet will be a defining moment in our collective journey.”
He further stated that this is the talk of the town right now. “Why has the DMK brought this into focus? Because by 2026, delimitation will happen. And if the delimitation exercise is carried out based on population, our representation in Parliament will be severely affected.”
A historic day for Indian federalism!
I extend my warmest welcome to the leaders from Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, West Bengal & Punjab who are joining us for the Joint Action Committee meeting on #FairDelimitation.
The All-Party Meeting on March 5 was… pic.twitter.com/Wra2NmccIA
— M.K.Stalin – தமிழ்நாட்டை தலைகுனிய விடமாட்டேன் (@mkstalin) March 21, 2025
Despite Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Modi denying that any such exercise is planned and assuring that, if undertaken, it would be on a pro-rata basis and that southern states’ representation would not decrease, the DMK, to cover up its all-round failure, has called for this meeting as a diversionary measure. With the state set to face Assembly elections in a year, the DMK wants to play a leadership role at the national level, and the imaginary delimitation issue has become a convenient tool for them.
CM Stalin said in today’s meeting: “In an unprecedented show of unity, CMs, Deputy CMs, and leaders of various parties across India have come together in Chennai for a historic Joint Action Committee meeting. This formidable gathering reflects our collective resolve to uphold India’s federalism. This movement is not against delimitation; it demands a fair and just process—one that does not punish states that have contributed to our national progress through effective population control. Any attempt to reduce our representation is an assault on our voice, our rights, and our future. We will not allow our current share in parliamentary representation to be reduced under any circumstance. We will fight. We will win!”
In an unprecedented show of unity, Chief Ministers, Deputy Chief Ministers and leaders of various parties across India came together at Chennai for a historic #JointActionCommittee meeting. This formidable gathering reflects our collective resolve to uphold India’s federalism in… pic.twitter.com/dz6rO0Xjpq
— M.K.Stalin – தமிழ்நாட்டை தலைகுனிய விடமாட்டேன் (@mkstalin) March 22, 2025
Speaking at the meeting, he said: “A reduction in the number of our elected representatives means a weakening of our ability to voice our people’s concerns. For over two years, Manipur has been burning. Yet the cries for justice from its people have been ignored. Why? Because they lack the political strength to command national attention. That is why any reduction in our parliamentary representation must be seen as a direct blow to any political voice. This is not just about numbers; it is about our power, our rights, and the well-being of our future.
“Let me state another thing very clearly—we do not oppose any move that strengthens democratic representation. But such a move must not come at the cost of fair political representation. This movement is not against delimitation itself. This movement is about insisting on a fair delimitation, and I believe everyone here will agree with that.
“I request each and every one of you to share your valuable suggestions on the resolutions that must be discussed and adopted by this JAC. I propose that this committee be named the Joint Action Committee for Fair Delimitation,” he added.
Several leaders, including Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, Telangana CM Revanth Reddy, and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, arrived in Chennai on Friday, while other political representatives were also in attendance. Former Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik chose to attend online.
The name cards of the political dignitaries were displayed in both English and their respective regional languages.
Rajaji’s grandson, C R Kesavan, in an interview, said: “The DMK staging this delimitation drama is a diversionary tactic to deflect public attention from its corrupt, failed, disastrous misrule. The DMK’s divisive politics of fear-mongering will backfire badly. Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party, with their mutually conflicting and contradictory stance, are indulging in pathetic opportunistic politics. Rahul Gandhi vouches that rights should be proportional to population… The DMK should call Rahul Gandhi’s bluff and break its alliance with the Congress party…”
#WATCH | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | On the meeting called by Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin on delimitation, BJP leader CR Kesavan says, "DMK staging this delimitation drama is a diversionary tactic to deflect public attention from DMK's corrupt, failed, disastrous misrule. DMK's divisive… pic.twitter.com/CF0hutIV0r
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2025
Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai and other party leaders showed black flags, registering their protest against Karnataka Deputy CM D K Shivakumar over the Mekedatu project issue.
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai and other leaders of the party show black flags, registering their protest against Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar over Mekdatu project issue.
The Deputy CM reached Chennai this morning to attend the meeting on delimitation, called… pic.twitter.com/kSA43Dvp9D
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2025
Speaking to the media, Annamalai said: “In the last four years since the DMK came to power, Tamil Nadu’s interests have continuously been sacrificed for political gain… The TN CM has never gone to Kerala to speak with them and solve the issues, but today, he has invited the Kerala CM to talk about an artificial issue that he has created… Our condemnation is for the TN CM for inviting the Kerala CM and not solving TN’s problems…
“D K Shivakumar is plotting his move against Siddaramaiah… That is the reason for him to come running to Tamil Nadu—to show that he is a pan-India leader while Siddaramaiah is a regional leader… The PM has said that population is not the criterion, and the HM has said that it is going to be on a pro-rata basis… The DMK is creating all of this nonsense artificially…”
BJP leaders criticised TN’s silence on issues with Kerala, which has been raking up the Mullaperiyar dam height issue, dumping hazardous waste, and releasing packs of stray dogs into Tamil Nadu, besides taking away natural resources like sand, stone, and others from the state.
இதுக்கு மட்டும் கத்துதா அந்த பல்லி..!#DMKagainstTN pic.twitter.com/4QHu1kVN49
— BJP Tamilnadu (@BJP4TamilNadu) March 22, 2025
“Tomorrow, while TN CM Thiru @mkstalin orchestrates his delusional drama on Delimitation, we hope he will play this speech of DMK Minister Thiru T M Anbarasan to his I.N.D.I. Alliance partners. It’s as if the DMK Ministers have made a collective decision to insult and abuse our brothers and sisters of northern India.”
Tomorrow, while TN CM Thiru @mkstalin orchestrates his delusional drama on Delimitation, we hope he will play this speech of DMK Minister Thiru TM Anbarasan to his I.N.D.I. Alliance partners.
It's as if the DMK Ministers have made a collective decision to insult and abuse our… pic.twitter.com/X1jOor9Blv
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) March 21, 2025
This was yet another exercise to strengthen Stalin’s position at a national level while keeping an eye on next year’s Assembly polls. His government is wading through strong waves of anti-government sentiment.
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