P.Wilson MP speech in ZERO HOUR on DELIMITATION on 19.3.2025 Thank you Deputy Chairman sir. This is about impending danger of Delimitation in the year 2026 as set out in the Constitution. Delimitation was conducted after each Census in the year 1952, 1962, and 1972 to ensure fair

P.Wilson MP speech in ZERO HOUR on DELIMITATION on 19.3.2025
Thank you Deputy Chairman sir.
This is about impending danger of Delimitation in the year 2026 as set out in the Constitution.
Delimitation was conducted after each Census in the year 1952, 1962, and 1972 to ensure fair representation of all states.
However, a significant disparity appeared—while some states embraced family planning policies, others ignored the issue, allowing their populations to grow unchecked and therfore to address this inequality, the 42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976) freezed delimitation based on the 1971 Census data for 25 years, thereby safeguarding states that managed their population from losing political influence.
The freeze on population growth was extended through the 84th Constitutional Amendment, following the recommendations of the National Population Policy in the year 2000 which expected stabilization of population growth across all states by 2026. The Constitutional amendment aimed to provide motivation for states to actively pursue the goal of population stabilization.
In May 2000, the National Population Commission was established, chaired by the Hon. Prime Minister to implement National Population Policy to achieve population stabilization.
However for last 10 years, the National Population Commission has become defunct, leading to a significant failure in the mandate for uniform population stabilization.
Data shows that states like Tamil Nadu have a Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of 1.7 and Kerala has a TFR of 1.8, indicating that these states have successfully stabilized their populations. In contrast, Uttar Pradesh has a TFR of 2.4, and Bihar has a TFR of 3.0, which means these states continue to experience exponential population growth.
This suggests that the original reasoning for lifting the freeze in 2026 is no longer valid. Implementing delimitation at this point would unfairly penalize states that have successfully managed their populations while rewarding those that have not. The consequences could be disastrous for states like Tamil Nadu and others that have effectively controlled their population,!
If Parliament’s strength is increased based on the 2026 Census , states like Rajasthan, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh are projected to gain more than 150 additional seats collectively. In contrast, the southern states (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana) will gain only 35 seats collectively. (OR) If the current 543 seats are retained and redistributed based on the 2026 Census, Tamil Nadu will lose 8 seats, while Uttar Pradesh and Bihar will gain 21 seats collectively
States that have effectively implemented the national family planning policy will face penalties, which will result in a loss of political representation and bargaining power. This shift will favor states that have not adhered to the national family planning policy.
Chairman sir,
Why should we forfeit our rightful representation and political leverage? Why are states that neglected family planning being rewarded with increased representation? This is nothing short of a political coup against those states that have remained committed to our national vision!
Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister Thiru M.K. Stalin has rightfully raised alarm about this impending injustice and has called for a meeting on 22nd march! If the Constitution is not amended before 2026 to extend the freezing, the delimitation WILL begin automatically in 2026.
I urge the Hon’ble Prime Minister through Hon’be chairman to address the house and clarify the government stance and proposed measures to protect the interests of states that adhered to national family planning goals while ensuring a just delimitation process.