DMK announces black flag protest against delimitation move: ‘BJP is playing with fire,’ warns Stalin

Announcing a black flag protest across the state on Thursday to condemn the delimitation amendment being brought by the Modi government, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president MK Stalin has warned that “the price you will pay will be heavy,” unless the move is not given up.

“Across Tamil Nadu, black flags will rise from homes and public spaces tomorrow in protest against delimitation,” the Chief Minister, now camping at Dharmapuri for campaigning, announced after holding an online consultation with DMK MPs.

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The DMK is preparing the ground for a protracted war with the BJP and the Modi government rushing through the delimitation legislation offers yet another issue on a platter to the DMK in the poll-bound state. Stalin was the first among the Chief Ministers to raise the issue and rally support from his counterparts.

In a hard-hitting post on ‘X’, he questioned whether delimitation based on population, which will result in a drastic reduction of Lok Sabha seats for Tamil Nadu and other southern states, is a punishment for contributing to the country’s progress and asked, “Is this how Tamil Nadu and the southern states are repaid?” Further, he said, “The #Delimitation amendment the Union BJP Government plans to bring in Parliament tomorrow is a massive historic injustice against Tamil Nadu and the southern states. Every South Indian South of the Vindhyas is seething with anger. The BJP is playing with fire.”

Warning the Modi government against proceeding with the delimitation amendment refusing to respect Tamil Nadu’s voice, Stalin warned of serious consequences and said, “The price you will pay will be heavy. As President of the DMK, and above all as a self-respecting Tamil, this is my stern warning.”

Describing delimitation as the Damocles sword that has now descended on the southern states, he informed that the DMK is reaching out to MPs across states and is devising a coordinated strategy to counter this grave danger. “This is not about parties or individuals. It is about protecting the rights of our people. I appeal to all parties and MPs to unite to safeguard our democracy,” he made it clear.