Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Saturday inaugurated the first meeting of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) in Chennai, aiming to challenge the Centre’s proposed delimitation exercise. Stalin described the day as “historic,” emphasizing the significance of safeguarding India’s federal structure against potential adverse effects on states’ rights and parliamentary representation.
In a post on X, Stalin remarked, “Today will be etched in history as the day when states that have contributed to our nation’s development came together to safeguard its federal structure by ensuring #FairDelimitation.” He extended a warm welcome to chief ministers and political leaders from various states, including Kerala, Telangana, Punjab, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, who gathered in Chennai for this pivotal meeting.
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Stalin highlighted that Tamil Nadu’s initiative against “unfair delimitation” has evolved into a “national movement,” underscoring the importance of the JAC’s deliberations in shaping future actions. He expressed, “This is more than a meeting. It is the beginning of a movement that will shape the future of our country.
Addressing concerns over the delimitation exercise, Stalin cautioned that proceeding with it in 2026 based on the latest population figures could result in states like Tamil Nadu losing parliamentary representation. He stressed that the issue transcends the number of MPs, impacting the rights of states. Stalin alleged that the proposed exercise is a deliberate attempt to undermine states that have successfully controlled population growth while significantly contributing to national development. He warned, “The meeting is being organised as the delimitation exercise will strike at the very foundation of federalism in India. It will erode the essence of democracy itself. Our voices in Parliament will be silenced and our rights will be compromised.”
Leaders such as Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann arrived in Chennai on Friday to participate in the discussions. The JAC is anticipated to outline its next steps following the meeting.
