Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has launched a political offensive against the Centre’s proposed delimitation exercise, calling it a direct assault on federalism. In an unprecedented move, he has written letters to the chief ministers of all South Indian states, along with West Bengal, Odisha, and Punjab, urging them to form a Joint Action Committee (JAC) to oppose the move.

A Nationwide Political Outreach

The letter marks a major political outreach beyond the southern states, extending to smaller states such as West Bengal, Odisha, and Punjab, which Stalin believes would also be negatively affected by the delimitation process.

In his letter, Stalin made two specific requests:

1. A formal consent from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, West Bengal, Odisha, and Punjab to unite in opposition to the delimitation exercise.
2. The nomination of a senior party representative from each state to serve on the Joint Action Committee (JAC) and help coordinate a unified strategy.

To further the initiative, Stalin has proposed an inaugural meeting on March 22 in Chennai to discuss a collective path forward in tackling the implications of the proposed delimitation exercise."This moment demands leadership and collaboration, rising above political differences and standing up for our collective good," Stalin wrote.
 

Countering Amit Shah’s “Pro-Rata” Justification

The controversy over delimitation escalated after Union Home Minister Amit Shah defended the Centre’s position, stating that seat allocations would be determined on a “pro-rata” basis.Responding to this, Stalin posted on X (formerly Twitter), questioning what "pro-rata" truly meant in the context of parliamentary representation. Calling it "empty rhetoric," he accused the Centre of attempting to punish states that successfully implemented population control and good governance.According to Stalin, delimitation is not just an abstract governance debate but a fundamental issue of states’ rights."What is at stake is not any abstract principle—it is our states’ ability to secure rightful resources for development, to influence crucial policies on education and healthcare, and to ensure our economic priorities receive due attention in the national agenda," he stated.
 

A Political Call to Arms

Beyond chief ministers, Stalin has also reached out to major political parties across India, urging them to stand against what he calls "democratic injustice."

The letter was sent to key leaders from major political parties, including:

• CPI(M)
• BJP
• Congress
• AAP
• TDP
• YSRCP
• BJD
• Akali Dal

He requested each party to send senior representatives to the March 22 meeting, emphasizing that the fight against delimitation is not about political divisions but about safeguarding the future of their states.
 

Uniting for Federalism

In his public statements, Stalin has stressed that the Centre’s delimitation proposal is a deliberate attempt to reduce the representation of certain states, particularly those that have successfully implemented population control policies.“The Union Government’s plan for delimitation is a blatant assault on federalism, punishing states that ensured population control and good governance by stripping away their rightful voice in Parliament,” Stalin posted on social media.His call for unity is being seen as an uncompromising stand against the BJP-led Central Government’s policies, signaling a major political movement in India’s federal structure.With the March 22 meeting set in Chennai, the focus now shifts to how many states and political parties will join hands with Tamil Nadu in opposing the delimitation exercise.Stalin’s outreach has already sparked heated political debates, and his ability to mobilize opposition across states and party lines could significantly impact national politics.The delimitation debate is far from over, but one thing is clear—Tamil Nadu, under MK Stalin’s leadership, is ready to lead the charge in defending federalism and state autonomy in India.