The Tamil Nadu Assembly has passed a resolution today (August 12, 2026) opposing the proposed The Delimitation Bill, 2026 and urging the Central government to permanently retain the existing strength of the Lok Sabha at 543 based on the population figures of the 1971 Census.
On August 8, the Chief Minister Vijay Joseph convened a consultative meeting with Tamil Nadu’s Members of Parliament at Kalaivanar Arangam to oppose the proposed delimitation exercise and advocating for a permanent freeze on Lok Sabha and Assembly seat allocations.
As a follow-up to this meeting, Chief Minister Vijay moved a resolution in the Assembly, and it was adopted with the majority of the members backing it.
மாண்புமிகு தமிழ்நாடு முதலமைச்சர் திரு.ச.ஜோசப் விஜய் அவர்கள் இன்று (12.8.2026) தமிழ்நாடு சட்டமன்றப் பேரவையில், நாடாளுமன்ற மக்களவையின் மொத்த உறுப்பினர்களின் எண்ணிக்கை 543 என்ற நிலையிலேயே நிரந்தரமாக்க வேண்டும் என்றும், தற்போதுள்ள மக்களவை உறுப்பினர்களின் இடங்களின் எண்ணிக்கையை… pic.twitter.com/JvCNiZNHfI
— CMOTamilNadu (@CMOTamilnadu) August 12, 2026
The resolution urged the Centre to permanently maintain the existing inter-State distribution of Lok Sabha seats and retain the current Lok Sabha-Rajya Sabha ratio at 2.2:1.
It further called for the immediate implementation of 33% reservation for women in the 2029 Lok Sabha election, based on the existing strength of 543 seats.
CM Vijay said, “Women’s reservation is not a concession but a constitutional right. Linking the women’s reservation Bill to delimitation delays its implementation.
The delimitation exercise will cause injustice in political representation to the southern states. Hence, it was decided to pass a resolution,” he further added.
Recalling the Constitution Amendment Bill introduced in April 2026, which sought to lift the 50-year-old freeze on delimitation, undertake delimitation based on the 2011 Census and increase the strength of the Lok Sabha from 550 to 850 members, he said the Bill had failed to clear Parliament and could be reintroduced.
The TN resolution said delimitation based on any Census conducted after 1971 could permanently affect the parliamentary representation of southern states, including Tamil Nadu, which have successfully implemented population control measures.
CM Vijay said the number of women MLAs in the Assembly had increased from 12 in 2021 to 23 in 2026, saying, “I see the women who supported us as sisters, mothers and grandmothers in our families. Whether within a family or a country, development can’t be measured by the wealth it possesses but by the empowerment of women. Women account for more than 50% of the voters in Tamil Nadu”.
Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Udhaya Nidhi Stalin said that, during the previous DMK government, the Assembly passed a resolution opposing the proposed delimitation exercise.
Public Works Minister Adhav Arjua noted that the number of MPs in the United States had remained unchanged for more than 100 years. He said, “Any attempt to increase the number of MPs by 50% will empower Hindi-speaking states and create unequal political representation. With the support of a few northern States, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, a political party could win elections. Tamil Nadu would then lose its voice in Parliament, like the Northeastern States”.
Besides the DMK, the Congress, CPI, CPM, IUML, Manithaneya Makkal Katchi MLA M H Jawahirullah, who was elected on the DMK symbol, and VCK supported the resolution, while the AIADMK, PMK and BJP opposed it.
BJP MLA Bhojarajan said that creating a North versus South narrative in the Assembly was not acceptable during the discussion on delimitation in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
“Creating a North vs South narrative in the Assembly not acceptable.”
– BJP MLA Bhojarajan after delimitation discussion in TN assembly pic.twitter.com/aWRpnxebx5
— News Arena India (@NewsArenaIndia) August 12, 2026
AIADMK general secretary Edapadi K Palaniswami said, “When the overall share of MPs in Parliament remains almost unchanged, why should we oppose it? We support the implementation of 33% reservation for women in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections”.
Former Telangana Governor TamiIisai Soundararajan, in a post on X, said, “The resolution on delimitation passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly is unnecessary and premature. No legislative framework or draft legislation on the proposed delimitation has been presented so far. Therefore, passing a resolution based on assumptions and creating fear among the people is unwarranted…”
The resolution on delimitation passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly is unnecessary and premature.
No legislative framework or draft legislation on the proposed delimitation has been presented so far. Therefore, passing a resolution based on assumptions and creating fear among the… pic.twitter.com/EKDFIowtuU— Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan (@DrTamilisai4BJP) August 12, 2026
TN BJP chief spokesperson Naryanan Thirupathi said, “Chief Minister’s resolution is political posturing that attempts to freeze Indian democracy on 50-year-old numbers. A permanent lock of Lok Sabha seats at 543 is constitutionally untenable and democratically unacceptable. At the same time, let there be no ambiguity: the Bharatiya Janata Party will never allow Tamil Nadu’s interests to be compromised”.
Chief Minister Chief Minister @CMOTamilnadu of Tamil Nadu Vijay’s @TVKVijayHQ ‘s resolution is political posturing that attempts to freeze Indian democracy on 50-year-old numbers. A permanent lock of Lok Sabha seats at 543 is constitutionally untenable and democratically…
— Narayanan Thirupathy (@narayanantbjp) August 12, 2026
Reminding the CM of PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah’s assurances that north or south will not face discrimination in delimitation, then the proportion of seats will not come down. Tamil Nadu’s seats would rise from the present 39 to 59 while protecting and even marginally improving its percentage share”.
Narayanan Thirupathi said, “An Assembly resolution has no force over the Constitution. Parliament alone decides these matters…. We will protect its representation, honour its achievements, and ensure its continued strength in the national mainstream — exactly as the Prime Minister and Home Minister have assured.
