Thiruvananthapuram: Karnataka chief minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday urged the Centre to ensure that southern states are not disadvantaged in the proposed delimitation exercise, arguing that states which successfully controlled their population should not lose political representation.
Addressing the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting chaired by Union home minister Amit Shah at Kovalam in Kerala, Shivakumar called for the 1971 Census to be used as the basis for delimitation. He also proposed that the total strength of the Lok Sabha — 543 seats — be kept unchanged for the next 25 years.
“Representation is not merely about numbers; it is also about political influence and voice,” Shivakumar said, stressing that southern states had responded successfully to the Centre’s call for population control.
He urged the council to adopt a resolution supporting the 1971 population base and protecting the political representation of southern states. “The southern states should not be penalised for their success in population control,” he said.
The Karnataka deputy CM also raised the long-pending Mekedatu project and the Cauvery water-sharing dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. He said the proposed Mekedatu reservoir would benefit farmers in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry as well.
Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu also called for a resolution to the Cauvery dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. He said the water from the Mekedatu project could benefit farmers downstream.
During the meeting, Shivakumar and Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay discussed the Cauvery and Mekedatu issues. Vijay also felicitated Shah during the meeting.