Population-based Delimitation for Lok Sabha: BRS says will be 'gross injustice'

Hyderabad: If the next Delimitation of Lok Sabha seats is conducted after 2026 based on population, that will amount to a “gross injustice” to southern states, Bharatiya Rashtra Samiti (BRS) leader and Telangana Minister K T Rama Rao said on Tuesday.

The minister’s view has a bearing on a key issue that is likely to come up in the coming months and years in the run-up to the next delimitation of Lok Sabha seats. The exercise is expected to be made on the basis of the now delayed 2021 Census.

As per reports, the BJP-led Central government will take up the delimitation process of Parliamentary constituencies if it retains power in 2024 general elections.

The Lok Sabha chamber in the new Parliament building, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 28, has twice the number of seats with enough space for 888 members, and the new Rajya Sabha has the capacity to seat 384 members as against the current 250.

This is in light of the fact that a delimitation exercise at some point in future would lead to a rise in the number of MPs in the country.

According to the 84th Amendment of the Constitution, the constituency borders were frozen until the first census after 2026. 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. The last national Census was conducted in2011 and the subsequent one due in 2021 now stands deferred originally postponed due to the Covid situation.

Rama Rao, who issued a press release on the subject has raised the issue that has been sounded out in the context of Finance Commission recommendations also. The core of the issue is that southern states, who have been successful in implementing the national population control measures, will stand to lose in terms of funds allocation, and now in the number of Lok Sabha seats with lesser share of seats than those in the northern states who have lagged behind in population control measures and thus secure more constituencies.

In the press release, Rao said the 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.

“The states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana, which controlled population, are being severely punished for their progressive policies today,” he said.

According to him, the southern states are at the forefront in not only population control but also all kinds of human development indicators.

Rama Rao claimed that the southern states with only 18 per cent population contribute to 35 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and are contributing so much to the national economic development and the country as a whole.

He made an appeal to the leaders and people of the southern states to speak out against the “injustice” going beyond politics.

(inputs from PTI with minor edits)