The state government has reiterated that the existing freeze on Lok Sabha seats should continue, with the state retaining 39 seats.
A minister said Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay conveyed the position to Union Home Minister Amit Shah during their meeting.
The issue has triggered concerns across Tamil Nadu that population-based delimitation could reduce the state’s parliamentary representation.
The Tamil Nadu government insists on maintaining the existing freeze that caps Lok Sabha seats at 543 nationally and 39 in the state. Public Works Minister Aadhav Arjuna clarified the administration’s stance in the Assembly on Friday. He rejected any move towards fair delimitation, as PTI reported
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay conveyed this position directly to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday. Arjuna affirmed that the state remains committed to its previous Assembly resolution mandating the cap.
Energy Resources and Law Minister R Nirmal Kumar endorsed the statement. Kumar said he issued the clarification after contradictory media reports emerged on August 20 during the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting in Kovalam.
Opposition Raises Concerns
AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami raised concerns regarding the state's parliamentary representation. Palaniswami warned that the upcoming population census could drop Tamil Nadu's seat count below 39 if the Union government fails to pass a new law extending the freeze. He questioned the state government's official strategy on the matter.
Leader of the Opposition DMK Udhayanidhi Stalin recalled the Assembly resolution passed on August 12. Stalin urged the Union government to permanently fix the Lok Sabha strength at 543. He pointed out that Vijay avoided using the explicit word "freeze" while addressing the council meeting chaired by Shah.
Speaker J C D Prabhakar interjected to note that media reports cannot serve as primary evidence for House debates. He reaffirmed that the state focuses solely on the adopted Assembly resolution.
Allies Oppose Delimitation
PMK MLA A Ganeshkumar registered his party's strict opposition to population-based delimitation. He argued the current approach would unfairly reduce Tamil Nadu's representation in the Lok Sabha. Ganeshkumar said the PMK remains committed to protecting the constitutional rights of the state.
Minister Vanni Arasu countered recent assurances regarding regional representation. Arasu disputed Shah's claims that southern states would see an increase in their seat share, pointing out that the actual bill contains contradictory provisions.
