Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin Skips PM Modi's Pamban Event In State, Demands Assurance For Fair Delimitation

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin allegedly broke protocol by not receiving Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived in the state on Sunday after his visit to Sri Lanka.

Stalin, who has been running a campaign against the proposed delimitation exercise, demanded a promise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to allay the fears of the people of Tamil Nadu regarding it.

He demanded that the Prime Minister ensure that the number of parliamentary seats is not reduced in percentage terms.

Tamil Nadu CM's demand came soon after PM Modi inaugurated the new Pamban Bridge in Tamil Nadu's Rameswaram. Stalin skipped the inauguration event, and the Prime Minister was seen with Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw at the event.

Standing on Tamil soil, the Prime Minister must give a clear guarantee : "Tamil Nadu and other states that have successfully controlled population growth will not be penalised in the impending delimitation exercise. Their share of parliamentary seats in percentage terms will… pic.twitter.com/CMRsjna8EP

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) April 6, 2025

Speaking at an event in Ooty, where he inaugurated a 700-bed hospital built at a cost of Rs. 143.69 crore, the Tamil Nadu CM said, "Standing on Tamil soil, the Prime Minister must give a clear guarantee: 'Tamil Nadu and other states that have successfully controlled population growth will not be penalized in the impending delimitation exercise. Their share of parliamentary seats, in percentage terms, will remain untouched.'"

"Hon'ble PM Narendra Modi should make this promise publicly, allay the fears in the minds of the people of Tamil Nadu, and follow it up with a constitutional amendment in Parliament. This is the only way to ensure a fair delimitation. I sincerely hope he will act," Stalin added.

Political groups in Tamil Nadu insist that constituency boundaries should continue to be drawn according to the 1971 population data. They have urged the central government to honor the promise made by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2001 regarding this matter.

MK Stalin has requested that PM Modi follow Vajpayee's precedent by announcing in Parliament an extension of the current arrangement for another 30 years after 2026. Stalin emphasised that Tamil Nadu and other southern states would face reduced parliamentary representation if the upcoming 2026 census data were used for delimitation instead.