Shivaganga, August 9: Congress MP Karti P. Chidambaram issued a warning on Sunday against the proposed increase in the number of Lok Sabha seats under the new delimitation plan. He argued that proportional expansion of seats could exacerbate the numerical disparity in parliamentary representation between populous states like Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.
Speaking in Shivaganga, Chidambaram noted that the current 543-member Lok Sabha offers limited opportunities for MPs to engage in debates, and an increase in seats may not necessarily enhance parliamentary functionality.
Clarifying his concerns, the Shivaganga MP pointed out that there are currently 40 Lok Sabha constituencies in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry combined, while Uttar Pradesh has 80. He stated that if the number of constituencies were to increase by 50 percent, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry would have around 60 seats, whereas Uttar Pradesh would rise to 120.
Chidambaram emphasized that although the ratio of seats would remain unchanged, the numerical difference would grow from the current 40 to 60. He stressed that absolute numbers are also crucial in a parliamentary democracy.
His comments came a day after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay convened a meeting of MPs in Chennai to discuss the implications of the proposed delimitation process and to forge a consensus to protect the state’s parliamentary representation.
During the meeting, concerns were raised that if Lok Sabha seats are redistributed primarily based on population, Tamil Nadu could lose its relative influence in Parliament. Attendees argued that states like Tamil Nadu should not be penalized by a reduction in their relative representation.
The issue of delimitation has become a significant political concern in Tamil Nadu, with various parties warning that population-based redistribution could significantly enhance the parliamentary power of more populous northern states.
Southern states have repeatedly argued that demographic performance and success in controlling population growth should be considered when deciding future allocations of parliamentary seats.
Chidambaram’s intervention has added a new dimension to this debate, questioning whether merely increasing the total size of the Lok Sabha would sufficiently safeguard Tamil Nadu’s interests.
He contended that maintaining the current proportional ratio alone would not fully resolve the issue, as more populous states gaining numerical advantages could have serious implications when decisions are made based on absolute numbers in Parliament.
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