Union Home Minister Amit Shah delivered strong reassurances to the people of Southern India, announcing on February 26, 2025, during the inauguration of new BJP offices in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, his firm stance on the delimitation exercise. He emphasized there would be no loss of parliamentary seats for Southern states, countering claims made by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.
Shah, addressing BJP workers and the public, stated, “Not one seat will be reduced pro rata, and whatever increase is there, Southern states will get a fair share.” His comments come as the backdrop of rising tensions around the delimitation issue, which is scheduled based on the forthcoming 2026 Census. Previously, CM Stalin warned the delimitation could result in Tamil Nadu losing up to eight of its current 39 Lok Sabha constituencies.
Describing the situation, Stalin had labeled the delimitation process as “a sword hanging over the head of South India” and called for an all-party meeting set for March 5, aiming to forge political unity against the perceived threat to Tamil Nadu’s representation.
Amit Shah’s remarks were directed at dispelling fears stirred by Stalin’s doomsday rhetoric. He accused the CM of misleading the Tamil population, stating, “You are lying to Tamil people and misleading them with false claims about delimitation.” He demanded accountability from Stalin concerning these statements, reiteratively positioning the BJP as the accountable alternative to the current ruling DMK. “This is why the Tamil Nadu CM and his son are trying to distract the public,” Shah added, underscoring his critique of the Tamil Nadu government.
To strengthen his position, Shah shared statistics reflecting the financial support Tamil Nadu received from the central government. “The Modi government has provided ₹5 lakh crore to Tamil Nadu over the last five years,” Shah told the audience, contrasting this with the funding received during the UPA government, referencing specific figures to argue the NDA’s commitment to Tamil Nadu’s prosperity. He expressed frustration over what he characterized as unfounded claims made by the DMK.
Furthering his critique, Shah outlined his concerns about the state’s governance, alleging widespread corruption and poor law enforcement under the DMK regime. “The law and order situation in Tamil Nadu was the worst in the country,” he claimed, asserting issues such as drug trafficking and illegal mining were rampant and insinuated such practices had governmental protection.
With the upcoming 2026 state assembly elections on the horizon, Shah urged fellow BJP members to work diligently to secure victory, indicating it was time to replace the “anti-national” and “anti-people” rule of the DMK. His confidence shone when he stated, “Get ready for the formation of an NDA government in Tamil Nadu,” signaling the party’s intentions to reclaim the political ground.
On the other hand, M.K. Stalin, urging for transparency, stated firmly, “Tamil Nadu would not compromise on its parliamentary representation.” He criticized the delimitation proposal which, as per his concerns, would suppress Tamil Nadu's voice due to its success with stringent family planning measures. He noted the paradox where states like Tamil Nadu could suffer from their success—a narrative shared by various political factions.
The chief minister has called for all 40 registered political parties within the state to attend the March 5 meeting, aiming to craft unified opposition against what he framed as incursion on their rights. “To protect the future of our motherland, Tamil Nadu, let us unite as one, transcending party differences!” he exclaimed, defining the impending delimitation as not just a political issue but one of integrity and representation for the citizens.
Political analysts convey the urgency surrounding this delimitation exercise, which could significantly alter political representation across India, pointing out how population-based reallocation might disadvantage states like Tamil Nadu. Yet, Shah’s assurance and claims about the potential for Southern states to not only maintain but also gain representation seem to be calculated to serve both as reassurance amid unease and as political mantra for the BJP to capitalize on the current political dynamics.
Shah's statements are not merely about delimitation; they set the stage for the contestation of political power as Tamil Nadu gears up for what could be transformative elections. The battle, intertwining issues of representation, corruption, and governance, will significantly shape the political fabric of Tamil Nadu as the people prepare to make their voices heard at the polls.