Though NDA allies, the TDP has made its disagreement on population-based delimitation with the BJP-led Central government vocal in Lok Sabha. The Andhra Pradesh party led by Chandra Babu Naidu had earlier also demanded the Centre rework the delimitation policy to address the concerns of Southern states, mainly Andhra Pradesh.
On Saturday, TDP MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, during a debate in Lok Sabha, raised the issue of using population as a criterion for delimitation. The Centre plans to implement the long-delayed population census in 2025, with a target for completion by 2026.
The MP said that under the next delimitation, the southern states stand to lose while the north will gain politically. He added that the calculation is that the seats of four states - UP, Bihar, MP and Rajasthan - will increase from the present 169 to 324, while the seats of Andhra, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka will increase from the present 129 to just 164.
Devarayalu said this wouldn't be in the interest of federalism, and the states with lesser populations deserve the benefits of delimitation. He also called for the time limit for governors to give assent to bills passed by state assemblies.
The MP had earlier too rallied against the Centre's decision, arguing that Andhra Pradesh shouldn't be penalised for successfully managing its population and that the delimitation policy should be reworked only after consultations with stakeholders.
Chandrababu Naidu suggesting South Indians to produce more children to balance population
— Veena Jain (@DrJain21) October 20, 2024
Instead of pushing high fertility rate regions to make strong Family planning policy, he want South to go wrong way 😭
In that case who will take care of :
> Unemployment
> Cost of Living… pic.twitter.com/MGrwZSFhY1
Chandrababu Naidu himself had raised the issue several times, including recently when he called on people to have more children after the state's Total Fertility Rate (TRF) fell below the national level of 2.0. He added that his government was contemplating moves to incentivise families to have more children. He also expressed concern about the move, including its effect on the development of the state.
The current size of electoral constituencies is based on the 1971 census despite the country's population growing manifold. This has resulted in over-representation and under-representation of some states. For instance, while one member represents 3.1 million citizens in Bihar, Kerala has one MP standing for 1.75 million people.
The Constitution stipulates proportional representation as the basis for the allocation of seats in the Lok Sabha. Article 82 states reallocation of seats after every decennial census based on updated population figures.
