Southern states worry that delimitation based on population could reduce their representation as slower growth in the south contrasts with northern states. The independent commission’s redrawing of boundaries, frozen since 1976, may benefit northern states, shifting political power. Proposed solutions include expanding Lok Sabha size or using weighted criteria.
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The concern of southern states about delimitation originates from concerns that population-based seat redistribution could reduce their political representation in Parliament due to slower population growth compared to northern states.
Delimitation is the process of redrawing parliamentary and assembly constituency boundaries based on population changes to ensure equitable representation (Article 82 of the Constitution).
It is conducted by an independent Delimitation Commission, whose decisions are final and cannot be challenged in court.
The objective is to uphold "one person, one vote" by adjusting constituency boundaries and seat allocations after each census.
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Pre-1976: Delimitation occurred after every census (1951, 1961, 1971), increasing Lok Sabha seats from 494 to 543 by 1973. 1976 Freeze: The 42nd Amendment froze seat allocations at 1971 census levels until 2001, incentivizing population control. This freeze was extended until 2026 by the 84th Amendment (2001), preserving southern states' seat share despite demographic shifts. |
Population Disparity
Southern states (e.g., Tamil Nadu, Kerala) have slower population growth due to better healthcare, education, and family planning. Northern states (e.g., Uttar Pradesh, Bihar) have higher growth rates.
Potential Seat Loss
If delimitation uses the latest census data (2021 or 2031), northern states could gain seats, while southern states might lose or stagnate. For example:
Political Power Shift
Southern parties fear losing influence in national politics, benefiting northern parties like the BJP, which dominate the Hindi heartland.
Increase Lok Sabha Size: Expand seats significantly (e.g., to 753) to accommodate northern gains without penalizing the south.
Weighted Criteria: Factor in socio-economic indicators or historical seat shares, though this deviates from strict population-based allocation.
Extend Freeze: Delay delimitation beyond 2026, though this risks perpetuating demographic imbalances. .
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Examine the population growth trends in southern v/s northern states. How might these trends disproportionately impact the parliamentary seat allocation of southern states post-delimitation? 250 words |
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