Vijay’s delimitation front falters without AIADMK

Both the AIADMK and the DMK have decided to boycott an all-party meeting of Members of Parliament convened by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay for Saturday, dealing a blow to efforts to build a unified regional strategy against the Centre’s proposed constituency redrawing exercise. The absence of Tamil Nadu’s two major Dravidian parties exposes deep political divisions over how to address the issue.

The meeting was called to formulate a joint response from Tamil Nadu MPs to reports that the central government is considering reintroducing the delimitation bill alongside provisions for women’s reservation. Under the proposals, parliamentary boundaries would be recalculated using 2011 Census figures, expanding total Lok Sabha seats from 543 to roughly 850.

Political parties in southern India have strongly resisted basing delimitation strictly on population numbers. They argue that states that successfully curtailed population growth over recent decades would be penalised with lower relative parliamentary representation, whereas northern states with higher fertility rates would gain additional power.

The decision to stay away highlights domestic political friction within the state’s opposition ranks. AIADMK figures suggested that party leaders should have been consulted directly rather than calling MPs directly, while the DMK demanded that the state government first hold an all-party meeting on the Mekedatu dam controversy before discussing delimitation.

The debate comes after earlier friction among political groups, following speculation that the DMK might soften its stance on the legislation. Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin recently insisted his party has consistently opposed the exercise, whilst Congress leader Rahul Gandhi directed criticism at supporters of the proposal, describing them as “21st-century Ettappans”—a local reference to traitors.

The proposed delimitation measures had previously stalled following the failure of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill in Parliament in April. Opponents continue to warn that redrawing constituencies based on 2011 demographic data would shift the national power balance towards northern states, ultimately weakening southern influence in federal affairs, financial allocations, and tax devolution.

Also read: Assembly showdown between Vijay and Udhayanidhi on Cauvery issue