Numbers tyranny

• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin calls for a 30-year freeze on the strength of the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies beyond 2026.
• The challenges in 2056, when delimitation is taken up, could be more complex than those of the last exercise.
• The grouse of southern States over the reduction of their seat share as a proportion of the total strength of the Lok Sabha will not be addressed.
• The imbalance in the number of electors across constituencies varies in each State.
• One solution could be to allow delimitation within each State, but not across the country, in keeping with federal principles.
• The Constitution recognizes that apportionment should be done “so far as practicable”, allowing room for considerations beyond mere numbers.
• Tamil Nadu is not opposed to delimitation, but the process should not penalize progressive States.
• The Union government should build a consensus on the terms of reference for the next Delimitation Commission.