Bengaluru, Jan 21:
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday expressed serious concern over the proposed delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies, warning that it could significantly reduce parliamentary representation for South Indian states. Describing the move as a potential threat to India’s federal structure, he said states that have successfully implemented population control measures should not be penalised politically.
Addressing the media, the Chief Minister noted that southern states, including Karnataka, have contributed to national development while maintaining stable population growth. However, he cautioned that a population-based delimitation exercise could disproportionately benefit states with higher population growth, upsetting the balance of representation in Parliament.
Siddaramaiah argued that such a change would weaken the federal spirit enshrined in the Constitution and undermine the principle of cooperative federalism. He urged the Union government to take all states into confidence before moving forward and called for a broader national debate on the issue.
The Chief Minister also indicated that Karnataka would stand with other southern states in seeking a fair and equitable approach to delimitation, ensuring that development, governance efficiency and population stabilisation efforts are duly recognised in the process.
