Delimitation Debate: Telangana BJP’s President counters Congress, Says ‘No Loss to South’

Hyderabad, Mar 24 (TNT): Telangana BJP president N. Ramchander Rao on Tuesday pushed back against opposition criticism over the proposed delimitation exercise, asserting that the process is constitutional and will not disadvantage southern states.

In a media interaction, Rao said delimitation is a mandatory constitutional exercise carried out after every Census, with a आयोग (commission) formed to redraw constituencies.

He accused the Congress and INDIA bloc of spreading “misleading propaganda” that delimitation would be based solely on population.

“If delimitation were done purely on population, southern states would actually end up with fewer seats. However, that is not the case,” he said, adding that several regions with lower populations, such as Himachal Pradesh and Delhi, already have relatively higher representation.

Rao clarified that future seat allocation would be based on a proportional system linked to existing Assembly segments within Lok Sabha constituencies, ensuring a balanced approach rather than a purely population-driven formula.

Dismissing concerns of a North-South divide, he said claims that northern states would gain at the expense of southern states were “completely false”.

“There will be no reduction in seats for southern states. Representation will increase fairly and equally across regions,” he asserted.

He added that after the 2026 Census, a delimitation commission would be constituted to undertake the exercise on a proportional basis.

Rao urged people not to believe what he described as Congress’s “false campaign” aimed at fuelling regional tensions.

On a separate issue, Rao welcomed the Supreme Court’s ruling on SC/ST reservations, stating that individuals who convert to another religion would not be eligible for SC/ST status.

He said the verdict reinforces earlier judicial positions and would prevent misuse of reservation benefits.

The BJP leader maintained that the ruling would ensure justice for genuine SC/ST beneficiaries and curb alleged misuse arising from religious conversions.

TNT TS