Tamil Nadu MPs Oppose Centre’s Delimitation Plan, Demand 25-Year Extension Of Parliament Seats Freeze

Published 8 August 2026 · politics

News india Tamil Nadu MPs Oppose Centre’s Delimitation Plan, Demand 25-Year Extension Of Parliament Seats Freeze Tamil Nadu MPs Oppose Centre’s Delimitation Plan, Demand 25-Year

News india Tamil Nadu MPs Oppose Centre’s Delimitation Plan, Demand 25-Year Extension Of Parliament Seats Freeze Tamil Nadu MPs Oppose Centre’s Delimitation Plan, Demand 25-Year Extension Of Parliament Seats Freeze Published By, Last Updated: August 08, 2026, 22:45 IST Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said increasing the size of Parliament would not necessarily strengthen democracy. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay (Photo: X/CMOTN) Tamil Nadu’s ruling alliance has united against the Centre’s proposed delimitation exercise, with 19 MPs attending a meeting chaired by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Saturday and agreeing to oppose any move that could alter the state’s present parliamentary representation. The meeting brought together MPs from the ruling TVK’s alliance as well as parties supporting the government. However, the DMK and AIADMK stayed away, with both parties questioning the need for the meeting and sharply criticising the government. The participating MPs agreed that the Lok Sabha should continue to have 543 seats and that Tamil Nadu’s representation should remain at 39 seats. They also called for the existing ratio between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha seats to remain at 2.2:1. Tamil Nadu Wants Delimitation Freeze Extended According to the state government, the meeting decided to adopt a resolution in the Tamil Nadu Assembly to protect the interests of the state and other southern states against any adverse impact from delimitation. Law Minister R Nirmal Kumar said there was no reason to change the present strength of elected bodies.

“No change is needed in the number of 543 (in Lok Sabha). Similarly, no change is warranted as regards the 39 LS seats in Tamil Nadu," he said. Kumar also demanded that the existing delimitation freeze be extended by another 25 years. He alleged that the BJP-led Centre was considering the exercise for electoral gains and “election arithmetic". “Why do you want to do delimitation? Who is going to be benefited?" Kumar asked. Chief Minister Vijay also urged all MPs and political parties to work together to protect Tamil Nadu’s interests. The government has argued that changing the current allocation could reduce the state’s political representation and influence. ‘543 Lok Sabha Seats Must Continue’ VCK chief and MP Thol Thirumavalavan said the participating MPs had unanimously agreed to oppose the proposed exercise. “The (proposed) delimitation exercise must be dropped. The current total count of 543 (Lok Sabha seats) must continue. The seat allocation for the states must also continue as it is," he said. Thirumavalavan said Tamil Nadu should continue to have 39 MPs in a 543-member Lok Sabha. He also opposed any proposal to increase seats based primarily on population. He said he expected the DMK and AIADMK to also oppose any move that could reduce Tamil Nadu’s representation despite their decision to skip Saturday’s meeting. Congress MPs Raise Concerns Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said increasing the size of Parliament would not necessarily strengthen democracy.