DMK, AIADMK To Skip CM Vijay’s All-Party MPs Meet on Delimitation Bill

Chennai: Tamil Nadu’s two major Dravidian parties, the DMK and AIADMK, have decided to skip an all-party meeting convened by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Saturday to discuss the Union government’s proposed delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies, according to sources in the two parties.

The meeting was called by Vijay to bring together Members of Parliament from Tamil Nadu and discuss the possible impact of the proposed exercise on the state’s parliamentary representation.

The absence of both the DMK and AIADMK is likely to cast a shadow over the meeting, given their political influence and the longstanding sensitivity in Tamil Nadu over delimitation. The proposed exercise has triggered concerns in several southern states that changes based on population could alter their representation in Parliament.

The DMK has historically opposed any delimitation exercise that could penalise states that have successfully implemented population-control measures. The party has also been involved in efforts to build a broader political consensus among southern states on the issue.

Vijay’s decision to convene the meeting comes amid an intensifying political debate over the proposed redrawing of Lok Sabha constituencies. He had invited Tamil Nadu MPs from different parties to deliberate on the issue and formulate the state’s position.

However, with both major Dravidian parties staying away, the initiative is likely to face questions over its ability to forge a united political position.

The delimitation issue has emerged as a major point of contention between the Centre and several southern states, with political parties arguing that states that have controlled population growth should not be disadvantaged through a reduction in their relative parliamentary representation.

The development also comes amid growing political differences between Vijay’s ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam and the DMK over several issues. The two sides have recently clashed over demands for all-party consultations on other matters as well.

The meeting is scheduled to be held on Saturday, with the focus expected to remain on the potential political and constitutional implications of the proposed Lok Sabha delimitation and Tamil Nadu’s position on the issue.

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