Delimitation is Non-Issue, States Doing Drama: BJP’s Annamalai
The debate over delimitation has been a hot topic in India, especially in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. The issue has been raised by several state governments, with some expressing concerns about the potential impact on the distribution of seats in the Lok Sabha. However, the Tamil Nadu BJP chief, K Annamalai, has a different view on the matter. In a recent statement, he declared that delimitation is a non-issue and that state governments are simply “doing drama” to hide their inefficiency.
Annamalai’s comments come at a time when the Centre is planning to implement delimitation in the country. The process, which is carried out every 10 years, aims to reallocate parliamentary seats based on population changes. According to the 2020 census, India’s population has increased by over 16% since the last delimitation exercise in 2008. This has led to concerns about the potential imbalance in the distribution of seats, with some states potentially losing out.
However, Annamalai is not convinced that delimitation is a significant issue. In a statement, he said, “We have to understand delimitation is a non-issue…when it’ll be announced, we’ll know the way forward.” He added that state governments raising the issue are simply “doing drama” to hide their inefficiency. “Home Minister Amit Shah said it’ll be pro-rata…Tamil Nadu has 39 out of 543 MPs…that ratio will be maintained,” Annamalai said, highlighting that the Centre has already made it clear that the delimitation process will be carried out in a way that maintains the existing ratio of seats.
Annamalai’s comments have sparked a reaction from other political parties in Tamil Nadu, with some accusing the BJP of being insensitive to the concerns of the state. The DMK, a key opposition party in the state, has been vocal about the potential impact of delimitation on Tamil Nadu’s representation in the Lok Sabha. The party’s president, M K Stalin, has claimed that the Centre’s plan to delimit seats based on population changes will lead to a significant reduction in the number of seats allocated to Tamil Nadu.
However, Annamalai believes that the concerns raised by the DMK are unfounded. In his statement, he said that the Centre’s plan to maintain the existing ratio of seats is a clear indication that Tamil Nadu will not lose out in the delimitation process. He also pointed out that the state has a significant population and will continue to have a significant number of seats in the Lok Sabha.
Annamalai’s comments have also been seen as a way to deflect attention away from the BJP’s own inefficiencies in the state. The party has been facing criticism for its handling of various issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the economy. By downplaying the significance of delimitation, Annamalai may be trying to shift the focus away from these issues and onto the perceived inefficiencies of the state government.
In conclusion, the debate over delimitation in Tamil Nadu is likely to continue in the coming weeks and months. While Annamalai believes that the issue is a non-issue and that state governments are simply “doing drama” to hide their inefficiency, other parties in the state may have legitimate concerns about the potential impact of delimitation on their representation. As the Centre prepares to implement delimitation, it remains to be seen how the issue will play out and what the implications will be for the state and the country as a whole.
