HomeIndiaTamil Nadu Assembly Moves to Freeze Lok Sabha Seats at 543, Backs Women’s Quota

Tamil Nadu Assembly Moves to Freeze Lok Sabha Seats at 543, Backs Women’s Quota

Open Bureau
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The Assembly has urged the Centre to retain the current 543 Lok Sabha seats and preserve Tamil Nadu’s existing share, while seeking implementation of 33% women’s reservation in the 2029 elections
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay: Tamil Nadu argues that states that successfully controlled population growth should not lose political representation. Its resolution seeks to preserve the current 2.2:1 ratio and the state’s 7.18% share of Lok Sabha seats.
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay: Tamil Nadu argues that states that successfully controlled population growth should not lose political representation. Its resolution seeks to preserve the current 2.2:1 ratio and the state’s 7.18% share of Lok Sabha seats Credits: ANI

Tamil Nadu has drawn a line on the proposed delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies, with the state Assembly passing a resolution seeking to protect its current parliamentary representation.

The resolution calls for the total strength of the Lok Sabha to remain fixed at 543 seats and for the inter-state allocation of seats to continue based on the existing proportion of representation.

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It also seeks the implementation of 33% reservation for women in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, using the current 543 constituencies.

Why is Tamil Nadu opposing delimitation?

The state government argues that delimitation should not penalise states such as Tamil Nadu that have made progress in population control. The resolution seeks to maintain the existing 2.2:1 ratio between population and states and protect Tamil Nadu’s current 7.18% share of Lok Sabha representation.

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What does the DMK say?

The DMK backed the resolution. Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin said the party had raised concerns over the impact of delimitation and argued that Tamil Nadu's parliamentary representation should not be reduced. The DMK also supported the demand that delimitation should not be carried out for the next 25 years.

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What about women's reservation?

The Assembly has called for the 33% quota for women to be implemented in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections itself, rather than waiting for a future delimitation exercise. Chief Minister Vijay argued that women's reservation is a matter of social justice, not a concession.

Did everyone support the resolution?

No. AIADMK and DMDK opposed the resolution in its current form, questioning its timing because the Centre has not introduced a delimitation Bill. AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami nevertheless said his party supports delimitation if it is carried out fairly and does not reduce Tamil Nadu's existing parliamentary share. The AIADMK also backed the 33% women's reservation. DMDK MLA Premalatha Vijayakanth similarly questioned the need for the resolution at this stage while supporting the women's quota. BJP MLA M Bhojarajan, meanwhile, urged parties to accept delimitation as a natural progression. At the heart of the dispute is a simple question: should population control reduce a state's political voice in Parliament? Tamil Nadu's Assembly has answered with a clear no.

(With inputs from ANI)