Delimitation puts Southern States' future at risk: KTR

Chennai: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president KT Rama Rao (KTR) voiced serious concerns over the potential fallout of the ongoing delimitation process in southern India, at the Delimitation Conference organized by southern state leaders and chief ministers here on Saturday.

Terming it a threat to the future of southern states, KTR warned that the current policy risks undermining their economic contributions, governance achievements, and democratic representation, while accusing the central government of perpetuating decades of discrimination against the region.

The conference, attended by prominent leaders from southern states, aimed to address the contentious issue of delimitation, which KTR argued goes beyond merely adjusting parliamentary representation.

KTR urges Center to reconsider its approach

The BRS leader cautioned that it could lead to the centralization of funds and fiscal control, jeopardizing the progress of southern states. "India is a democratic nation, but it is also a federal union of diverse identities and cultures. We must not forget this,” KTR emphasized, urging the central government to reconsider its approach to avoid turning democracy into authoritarian mobocracy.

KTR expressed dismay at the potential consequences of delimitation, asserting that southern states, which have excelled in population control and economic development, are being unfairly penalized. “For decades, southern states have faced discrimination by the Center. The current delimitation proposals will not only reduce our parliamentary representation but also inflict injustice across all sectors,” he said.

In a bid to offer solutions, KTR presented alternative approaches on behalf of the BRS. He suggested that instead of increasing parliamentary seats based solely on population, the Center should maintain the current number of Lok Sabha seats while increasing MLA seats in state assemblies to improve governance efficiency. Alternatively, he proposed that delimitation should factor in a state’s economic progress, administrative efficiency, and developmental achievements rather than just population metrics.

Southern states contribute 36% to India’s GDP

“If the Centre’s goal is better governance and representation, it must explore alternatives that don’t sow discord between states,” he urged. He highlighted that southern states contribute 36% to India’s GDP despite constituting only 19% of the population, proposing a revolutionary idea that they deserve proportional representation in Parliament based on their economic output.

KTR’s critique of the Center was sharp. He argued that freezing parliamentary seats for 50 years based on population and now punishing southern states for their success in population control is grossly unjust. “Southern states do not deserve punishment; they deserve encouragement for their contributions to India’s growth,” he asserted. He warned that the current delimitation policy risks creating a divide where developed states lose out while lagging regions gain disproportionately, a move he called detrimental to India’s aspiration of becoming a superpower.

Addressing the media post-conference, KTR reiterated that southern states are not opposed to aiding underdeveloped regions but firmly reject discriminatory treatment in fund allocation and representation. “History will not forgive us if we remain silent. Future generations will question our inaction,” he said, signaling a readiness to fight for the rights of southern states. He also criticized the BJP-led central government for exacerbating regional disparities, citing examples like the allocation of bullet train projects exclusively to northern states while southern states are overlooked.

Delimitation's impact extends beyond reduced parliamentary seats

The BRS leader underscored that delimitation’s impact extends beyond reduced parliamentary seats, warning of a potential concentration of power that could tilt India toward authoritarianism. “If four or five states begin dictating the nation’s future, it will erode the spirit of federalism,” he cautioned. KTR called for a united front among southern states, drawing inspiration from Tamil Nadu’s legacy of fighting for regional rights and the Dravidian movement’s role in upholding federal principles.

In a passionate plea, KTR concluded, “We are all Indians, but our regional identities and contributions must be respected. India can only become a superpower by 2047 if states driving progress are rewarded, not penalized.” The conference marks the beginning of a broader movement, with KTR hinting at more such gatherings to challenge the Centre’s delimitation policy and safeguard southern India’s interests.

At the Delimitation Conference speech, KTR invoked the 14-year Telangana movement under KCR’s leadership as a testament to resisting majority dominance, drawing parallels with Tamil Nadu’s legacy of fighting for regional rights through the Dravidian movement. He highlighted how Telangana’s struggle against Delhi’s centralized authority and the unified state’s majority leadership culminated in achieving its aspirations, a spirit he said inspires the current battle against delimitation’s inequities.

BJP-led Center neglecting promises enshrined in the AP Reorganisation Act

KTR accused the BJP-led Center of neglecting promises enshrined in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act of 2014, such as equitable representation and development for Telangana, noting that while delimitation was implemented in Jammu and Kashmir, it has been conveniently sidelined for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to serve BJP’s political interests, prompting a renewed fight to secure the state’s rightful dues.