Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has scheduled a pivotal all-party meeting on March 5 to discuss the proposed delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies and the three-language policy. Invitations have been extended to 45 political parties. However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced its decision to boycott the meeting and expressed strong objections.
BJP leaders stated that the decision to boycott the meeting was reached after thorough deliberation. They have sent a detailed letter to Chief Minister MK Stalin explaining the reasons for their absence. The BJP claims to have addressed the issues regarding delimitation and the three-language policy raised by the Chief Minister, posing several counter-questions.
The BJP queried, on what basis are you claiming that Tamil Nadu's Lok Sabha seats will be reduced? Who provided you with this information? Should the source be revealed, we might reconsider our decision.
Meanwhile, the opposition party AIADMK has confirmed its participation. AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami mentioned that two party representatives will join the meeting to elaborate on the party's stance. BJP's ally Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) has also announced their participation in this crucial meeting.
What Did Stalin Say About Delimitation?
Most political factions in Tamil Nadu are concerned that the proposed Lok Sabha seat delimitation could lessen the state’s representation. On his 72nd birthday, Chief Minister MK Stalin mentioned that the new delimitation could reduce Tamil Nadu's seats from 39 to 31, potentially resulting in a loss of 8 seats and diminishing the state's voice in Parliament. Stalin emphasized that it's an issue concerning the rights of Tamil Nadu and urged all parties to transcend partisan politics and unite in raising their voices.
Center and BJP Refute Stalin’s Claim
However, the Central Government and the BJP have dismissed Stalin’s assertion. Union Home Minister Amit Shah accused Stalin of spreading misinformation, stating that no South Indian state's Lok Sabha seats will be reduced in the proposed delimitation. Instead, it's a process based on population ratio.
Discussion on Three-Language Dispute
The meeting will also address the contentious three-language policy. The ruling DMK has long opposed this policy, clearly stating that Tamil Nadu is content with only Tamil and English. The DMK has accused the BJP-led Central Government of imposing Hindi, a claim the government has denied outright.
