Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday slammed Opposition parties for “spreading confusion” over the proposed delimitation exercise, asserting that southern states will not lose representation but see their strength increase. He added that a caste census would also be conducted as part of the next national census exercise.
Speaking in the Lok Sabha during the special Parliament session, Shah said a narrative is being built suggesting that the political representation of southern states will decline after delimitation. “The biggest narrative being created is that the Constitution Amendment Bill, the delimitation laws, and changes to constituency election rules will harm the South. This is completely misleading,” he said.
He emphasised that the proposed framework is designed as a “no-loss model”, ensuring that no region faces a reduction in representation.
The exercise is designed to maintain balance and fairness while accommodating population changes, reiterating that no state would suffer a loss in representation under the proposed model. The framework ensures that no region will lose seats in absolute terms. Southern states, in fact, will see an increase, the Home Minister said.
Shah said the current Lok Sabha has 543 seats, of which southern states account for 129 MPs, or about 23.76 per cent. Under the new framework, their representation would rise to 195 MPs in an expanded House, marginally increasing their share to 23.97 per cent.
Karnataka’s seats would rise from 28 to 42, increasing its share from 5.15 per cent to 5.44 per cent. Andhra Pradesh would see its representation grow from 25 to 38 seats, with its share rising from 4.60 per cent to 4.65 per cent, according to Shah
Telangana’s seats are projected to increase from 17 to 26, taking its share to 3.18 per cent from 3.13 per cent. Tamil Nadu’s representation would go up from 39 to 59 seats, with its share rising slightly from 7.18 per cent to 7.23 per cent in a House of 816 members. Kerala, Shah said, would see its seats increase from 20 to 30, with its share around 3.67 per cent.