Revanth Reddy flags delimitation threat to southern states
TELANGANA: Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on Tuesday alleged that a plan to increase Lok Sabha seats by 50 per cent based on population hides a “conspiracy” that could allow northern states to form a government at the Centre without support from the south.
Delimitation plan may weaken southern states’ political influence
Speaking at a television channel discussion in New Delhi, he said constituency delimitation and the proposed increase in parliamentary seats would widen the gap between northern and southern states. He said the Centre was discriminating against southern states and called on them to prepare for a joint struggle against delimitation.
He questioned the basis for a 50 per cent increase in seats. “If implemented, it will be the final bullet against southern states,” he said. He cited examples, stating that seats in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry could rise from 40 to 60, while Uttar Pradesh’s strength could increase from 80 to 120.
Four northern states could secure power at Centre
He said increased representation in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar could enable these states to bring a government to power at the Centre without relying on southern states. This, he added, would reduce space for leaders from the south in national politics and in the Union government.
He accused the National Democratic Alliance government of deepening regional divides and urged consultations with all political parties before proceeding with seat expansion. He said he would take the issue to voters during election campaigns in southern states.
Chief minister calls for unity against Modi’s ‘three-D policy’
Revanth Reddy also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s governance approach, which he termed the “three-D policy” — delimitation, discrimination and devolution. He alleged that key Union cabinet portfolios were not given to leaders from southern states, except Nirmala Sitharaman.
He questioned why Venkaiah Naidu was not made President and cited the tenure of G M C Balayogi as Speaker in the past. “Southern states must unite against Modi’s three-D policy,” he said.
