Telangana CM Proposes Hybrid Model for Lok Sabha Delimitation to PM Modi

The Chief Minister wrote that women's reservations, national delimitation and increase in seats for Lok Sabha are three different issues but confusions are being created in the minds of people as if they are compulsorily inter-connected.

Stating that Congress fully supports the Women's Reservation Bill, he sought its immediate implementation for Lok Sabha, as is, with current 543 seats, and even for all State Assemblies.

Regarding the national delimitation, he stated that there have been delimitations before without changing number of seats and only changed boundaries of constituencies within states. The country can undertake such an exercise, he said.

"The real contentious issue is the proposal to increase Lok Sabha seats to 850 seats and this to be done using a pro rata basis. I again emphasise that these three issues are distinctly separate and not connected. We totally support reservation of 33 per cent seats for women, and will also support delimitation without increasing number of seats," reads the letter.

"The proposal to increase in Lok Sabha seats on either population or pro rata model is not acceptable to many states, among them, southern states. I wish to bring to your notice our serious concerns regarding the proposal to increase Lok Sabha seats, which if done on a pro rata basis, is fraught with dangers for the country," wrote Revanth Reddy.

The Congress leader cautioned that an increase in seats based on pro rata, without considering economic contribution and socio and human developmental outcomes, will lead to a severe and irreversible distortion in federal balance of our country. He stated that fair regional representation and role in national matters is crucial to building a strong, Viksit Bharat. It is very clear that the Centre has not fully and carefully analysed or assessed the consequences of this proposal, especially on the southern states.

He pointed out that the southern states of Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry and Kerala, over past several decades, have consciously adopted policies aimed at population stabilisation, improved public health, and higher human development outcomes. These efforts were undertaken in alignment with national priorities and have contributed significantly to India's overall progress.

"However, under the present proposal, these very states are being structurally disadvantaged and politically unempowered. The consequence of a pro rata model is not merely a statistical adjustment; it will result in a systemic shift in political power. As you are aware, in the matter of financial devolutions, we are facing severe financial injustice, bias and discrimination, wherein some states like Bihar or Uttar Pradesh receive a lot more for each rupee it contributes, whereas my state of Telangana gets far less than what we contribute. This is just an example of the South-North divide that we are facing for decades. But with this change in Lok Sabha seats, we will be punished with political injustice over and above continued financial and policy discrimination. Southern states, despite their substantial contribution to the national economy, will witness a relative erosion of their voice in Parliament, while states with higher population growth in a northern-central belt, will gain disproportionately," wrote the Chief Minister.

He made it clear that this pro rata model will not be acceptable to people and governments of southern India. Any attempt to proceed without addressing these concerns will inevitably lead to widespread opposition and resistance, as it touches upon the fundamental principle of fair representation.

He called for a solution that is both just and sustainable. In this regard, a constructive alternative being discussed is a hybrid model, which seeks to balance representation with contributions; it could be an ideal solution.

"Since you are proposing to increase existing Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 850 seats, half of this new can be done on Pro Rata basis. Remaining half must be done on based on economic contribution (GSDP), and other performance criteria. This is just one suggestion, a possible approach," he added.

Revanth Reddy urged the PM to convene an all-party meeting at the earliest, bringing together representatives from all states and political parties, to deliberate on this issue in a transparent and inclusive manner.

- IANS