Hyderabad, Apr 14 (TNT): Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Tuesday called for a united and sustained struggle against the Union Government, demanding that seats for southern states be increased on a pro-rata basis during the delimitation exercise.
Addressing a gathering on the 135th birth anniversary of B. R. Ambedkar, the Chief Minister alleged that the Centre was attempting to reduce the representation of southern states under the pretext of population-based expansion. He warned that such a move would lead to injustice for women and SC/ST communities in the region.
He urged southern states to unite against what he termed attempts to weaken their political representation and questioned whether Union Ministers were aware of the implications.
Referring to a press conference held on Monday, Revanth Reddy proposed a “Hybrid Model” for the post-2026 delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies to safeguard the interests of southern states.
Under the proposal, of the anticipated 50 per cent increase in Lok Sabha seats, half of the additional seats would be allocated based on population (pro-rata), while the remaining half would be distributed based on states’ Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).
He remarked that southern states act as the country’s “financial capitals”, while northern states serve as “political capitals”, arguing that economic contribution must also be considered in representation.
As per the Centre’s reported plan to expand the current strength of 543 seats by 50 per cent, an additional 272 seats would be created.
The Chief Minister suggested that 136 seats be distributed on a pro-rata basis, with the remaining 136 allocated based on GSDP contribution.
The proposal, he said, aims to reward states that have successfully implemented population control measures and contribute significantly to the national economy.
Warning against a purely population-based approach, he said a “blanket increase” would disproportionately favour northern states and reduce the relative representation of southern states.
He said efforts would be made to build consensus among southern states, along with Punjab and Delhi, and that he would write to Chief Ministers and key political leaders seeking their cooperation.
He also urged the Centre to hold extensive consultations, including all-party meetings and debates in state assemblies, and complete the process by March 2028.
Meanwhile, the proposal has drawn criticism from Telangana BJP leaders, including Bandi Sanjay Kumar, who questioned linking parliamentary representation to economic contribution, stating that less-developed regions also deserve adequate representation.
TNT TS
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