There are reports doing the rounds that a BJP-led government would take up the delimitation process of parliamentary constituencies if the BJP retains power in the 2024 general elections.
Reacting to this, Telangana IT Minister K. T. Rama Rao took to Twitter and expressed his grief. He said that the delimitation of Lok Sabha seats will be a "gross injustice" to southern states if it is taken up on the basis of population.
We have earlier reported to you that the new Parliament building has three times the number of seats with enough space for 888 members, and the new Rajya Sabha has the capacity to seat 384 members.
According to the 84th Amendment of the Constitution, the constituency borders were frozen until the first census after 2026, or at least until after 2031. The 1971 Census continues to serve as the foundation for the current Lok Sabha seat allocation. At present, the lower house of Parliament has 543 seats.
KTR issued a press statement that stated, "Southern states that adhered to the policies of the Centre and controlled the population with a progressive mindset are likely to suffer "severe injustice" with the population-based delimitation. It is unfair and painful that the southern states may get fewer Lok Sabha seats due to the delimitation, and on the other hand, it is unfortunate that the states, especially the ones in the northern region, are benefiting from the increase in Lok Sabha seats."
He asserted that despite the requests of the central government, the benefits will accrue to the northern states that "do not control" the populace.
"The states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana, which controlled the population, are being severely punished for their progressive policies today," he claimed.
He asserted that the southern states, which only account for 18% of the population, produce 35% of the nation's gross domestic product (GDP) and significantly contribute to the overall economic growth of the nation.
He urged southern state officials and citizens to speak out against the "injustice" that transcended politics.
