Delimitation and the South: What Shivakumar’s 543-Seat Proposal Means
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Karnataka CM Shivakumar urges 1971 Census-based delimitation, a 25-year freeze on 543 Lok Sabha seats and women’s reservation within existing seats.
By Sakshi.
New Delhi, August 20: Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday urged the Southern Zonal Council to pass a resolution asking the Centre to use the 1971 Census as the basis for delimitation, retain the existing 543 Lok Sabha seats for 25 years, and accommodate women’s reservation within the existing strength.
Shivakumar said the southern states had responded to the country’s call for population stabilisation with discipline and success, and should not be penalised for that achievement during the delimitation exercise.
“That success must never become the reason to make our voice smaller. Our economic weight must be matched by political voice,” he said.
The Karnataka Chief Minister specifically called for the 1971 population basis to be retained and for the overall strength of the Lok Sabha to remain unchanged.
“I am confident that all the Chief Ministers here will support me in what I say. Let the 1971 basis be honoured, and let the strength of our voice be protected,” he said.
Women’s reservation
Shivakumar also linked the delimitation issue with women’s reservation, arguing that its implementation should not be delayed because of a fresh delimitation exercise.
“Women have waited long enough for their rightful representation. Their reservation should not have to wait for a population count,” he said.
He urged the Council to pass a resolution seeking to freeze the number of Lok Sabha seats at the existing 543 for the next 25 years and provide women’s reservation within those seats.
“I therefore urge this Council to move a resolution to freeze the number of seats in Lok Sabha at the current level and provide women’s reservation within that number. I call upon my fellow Chief Ministers to stand together behind our shared stand,” he said.
Shivakumar’s intervention comes amid concerns among southern states that a population-based delimitation exercise could alter the balance of parliamentary representation between states that have successfully implemented population-control measures and those with larger populations.
He said protecting the South’s political voice was integral to ensuring fairness within India’s federal structure.
“Fairness in our voice is one half of the story. Fairness in our resources is the other,” Shivakumar said.
Mekedatu project, Cauvery water issue
Shivakumar also raised the issue of the Mekedatu project, stressing that it was important not only for Karnataka but also for Tamil Nadu.
“While walking to the meeting, senior leader and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu ji told me that we need to solve the Cauvery water issue between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Let me assure you, every drop of water from the Mekedatu project will help farmers in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Help us help you,” he said.
