Delimitation Showdown: JAC Seeks 25-Year Freeze on Parliamentary Constituency, Adopts Resolution

New Delhi: The Joint Action Committee (JAC) on delimitation after the first meeting held today, unanimously adopted the resolution which asserts that there should be "freeze on Parliamentary constituency" for another 25 years, which was based on 1971 population census.

The resolution highlighted that any delimitation exercise carried out by the Centre should be done "transparently" and after discussion and deliberation with all stakeholders.

Opposition Calls for ‘Transparency’ in Delimitation

DMK MP Kanizmozhi said JAC expressed concern over the lack of "transparency and clarity" in the delimitation exercise without consulting stakeholders.

Addressing a press conference, Kanizmozhi said, “I would like to read the resolution which has been passed today. The JAC (Joint Action Committee) expressed its deep concern on the lack of transparency and clarity in the delimitation exercise without any consultation to the various stakeholders.”

Takeaways From Resolution Released by JAC

• "Given the fact that the legislative intent behind the 42nd, 84th and 87th Constitutional amendment wants to protect incentivise states which had implemented population control measures effectively and the goal of national population stabilization has not yet been achieved. The freeze on parliamentary constituency based on 1971 population census should be extended by another 25 years." Kanizmozhi said.

Also Read: Have Babies Immediately, Give Tamil Names: Stalin Amid Delimitation Row

• The delimitation should improve the "content and character of democracy" through transparency, allowing political parties, state governments, and other stakeholders to contribute.
• "The JAC expressed its appreciation to the CM of Tamil Nadu for taking up this initiative to safeguard the political and economic future of performing states in India," she added.

Shivakumar Urges to ‘Save Federal Structure of India’

After virtually attending the Joint Action Committee (JAC) meeting on delimitation called by Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik said that population should not be the only criterion to determine the number of seats in Parliament and sought a detailed discussion with all parties before the commencement of the delimitation process.

Patnaik said, "BJD would do everything to protect the interests of the people of Odisha ." 

TPCC Vice President Dr Mallu Ravi said, "The meeting went very well...All the CMs supported that we should not go by delimitation..."

Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar said, “Delimitation meeting went very well. It is a good beginning, and we'll all join together to save the federal structure and the constitution of this country.”

Udhayanidhi Stalin, in a tweet on the delimitation issue, "presented a detailed analysis, emphasizing population trends, the history of delimitation, potential outcomes, and the negative impact of the proposed changes on states like Tamil Nadu.

Stalin further pointed out that the matter also concerns the preservation of linguistic culture and the federal structure of India. 

As first delimitation JAC meeting concluded, and the second meeting will be held in Hyderabad soon. Revanth Reddy has already invited CM MK Stalin and Pinarayi Vijayan .