DMK MPs Stage Protest Outside Parliament Over Delimitation Issue
The ongoing debate over the delimitation exercise of parliamentary constituencies has taken a new turn, with DMK and other party MPs staging a protest outside the Parliament on Monday. The protest was a strong expression of discontent against the Centre’s proposed delimitation exercise, which the parties believe will lead to the loss of seats for states like Tamil Nadu.
The DMK MPs, led by Tiruchi Siva, held placards and banners with slogans like “Stop the delimitation exercise” and “Protect the rights of Tamil Nadu”. The party MPs also submitted a memorandum to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, opposing the Centre’s proposal to conduct the delimitation exercise based on population.
According to Tiruchi Siva, the DMK MP, the proposed delimitation exercise will lead to a significant loss of seats for Tamil Nadu and other states. He argued that the exercise should be conducted in a way that takes into account the geographical and demographic peculiarities of each state.
“If it is done based on population, Tamil Nadu and other states will be losing so many seats,” Tiruchi Siva said during the protest. “We urge the Centre to find an alternate way to conduct the delimitation exercise of parliamentary constituencies.”
The DMK MP also pointed out that the Centre had initially promised to conduct the delimitation exercise based on the 2001 census, but had since changed its stance and was now planning to do it based on the 2021 census.
The Centre’s decision to conduct the delimitation exercise based on the 2021 census has been met with widespread opposition from several parties, including the DMK and the AIADMK. The parties argue that the exercise will lead to a disproportionate representation of seats in the Lok Sabha, with more seats going to states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
The AIADMK, which has been a strong critic of the Centre’s proposal, has also been demanding that the delimitation exercise be conducted based on the 2001 census. The party has argued that the exercise should be done in a way that takes into account the historical and demographic changes that have taken place in each state over the past two decades.
The protests outside the Parliament were a significant show of strength and unity among the DMK and other party MPs. The protests were also seen as a warning to the Centre that the parties will not hesitate to take strong action if their demands are not met.
The Centre’s decision to conduct the delimitation exercise based on the 2021 census has been seen as a move to consolidate its power and influence in the Lok Sabha. The exercise will also give the Centre the power to redistrict the parliamentary constituencies in a way that benefits its allies and supporters.
The protests outside the Parliament have once again highlighted the deep divisions between the Centre and the states over the delimitation exercise. The Centre’s decision to conduct the exercise based on the 2021 census has been seen as a move to undermine the rights and interests of the states, and the protests outside the Parliament were a strong expression of discontent against this decision.
In conclusion, the DMK MPs’ protest outside the Parliament was a significant show of strength and unity among the party and other party MPs. The protests were a strong expression of discontent against the Centre’s proposed delimitation exercise, which the parties believe will lead to the loss of seats for states like Tamil Nadu. The Centre must take heed of the protests and demands of the parties and find an alternate way to conduct the delimitation exercise of parliamentary constituencies.
