Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin on Tuesday issued a sharp warning to the BJP-led central government over the proposed delimitation exercise, saying the state would launch massive protests if any move harmed Tamil Nadu’s interests or disproportionately increased the political influence of northern states.In a video message, Stalin renewed his charge that the delimitation process is being carried out without transparency and without consulting states or political parties. He alleged that the Centre is moving ahead unilaterally on a matter that could significantly alter the balance of political representation.“We do not even know how this delimitation exercise is going to be carried out. No explanation has been provided so far regarding the proposed Constitutional amendment.”He said the lack of clarity had deepened suspicion across southern states, especially Tamil Nadu, where concerns remain high over the possible consequences of population-based seat redistribution.Referring to the special session of Parliament scheduled for April 16, Stalin alleged that it had been “forcibly convened” in the middle of elections in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, and claimed the Union government intended to push through a constitutional amendment on delimitation without adequate debate.“In this session, the Union government intends to bulldoze through a Constitutional amendment on delimitation,” he alleged.Calling the move a threat to federalism, Stalin said any attempt to reduce Tamil Nadu’s relative political weight would trigger a statewide backlash.“However, if anything is done that harms Tamil Nadu, or that disproportionately enhances the political power of northern states, we in Tamil Nadu will not remain silent,” Stalin was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.The DMK chief warned that the response would go beyond symbolic protest.“Tamil Nadu will register its protest with full force. Every family will take to the streets. Under my leadership as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, we will organise a massive agitation.”Stalin also cautioned the Centre against assuming that the election season would distract attention from the issue, saying Tamil Nadu was prepared for a larger political confrontation if needed.“You will witness a Tamil Nadu that you have not seen before. India will once again witness the spirit of the DMK of the 1950s and 1960s. Do not mistake this for a threat. This is a warning. Even if you choose to interpret it as a threat, it does not concern us. Yes, this is a warning issued from Tamil Nadu.”Invoking the legacy of DMK founder CN Annadurai and late party patriarch M Karunanidhi, Stalin said the party viewed state rights as more important than electoral considerations.On the birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar, he framed the issue as one of constitutional fairness and federal justice.“If Tamil Nadu is affected, we will make the entire nation take notice. Prime Minister, I repeat, this is the final warning issued to you from Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu will fight; Tamil Nadu will win.”Stalin said the DMK had consistently raised awareness on delimitation and had already brought together chief ministers and opposition leaders from affected states through a Joint Action Committee meeting in Chennai last year.He also pointed out that despite repeated demands, including calls for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to assure Parliament that southern states would not suffer under the new formula, no such assurance had been given.The chief minister added that even requests by MPs from multiple parties to meet the Prime Minister on the issue had been denied, reinforcing what he described as the Centre’s refusal to engage in meaningful consultation.
