Revanth Reddy Warns Centre’s Delimitation Plan May Weaken Southern States

HYDERABAD: Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has raised concerns over the Centre’s proposed delimitation exercise and reported plan to increase Lok Sabha seats, warning that it could dilute the political influence of southern states.

Speaking at a summit in New Delhi, Reddy alleged that increasing parliamentary constituencies based solely on population would disproportionately benefit northern states, further widening the representation gap between regions.

He pointed out that while southern states may see moderate gains in seat numbers, larger northern states could witness a significant increase, potentially altering the balance of power in Parliament. According to him, such a shift could enable a few populous states to play a dominant role in forming governments at the Centre.

Describing the move as part of a broader policy approach, Reddy accused the Union government of undermining southern states through what he termed a pattern of decisions affecting representation and resource allocation. He also raised concerns over the limited presence of leaders from the South in key Union Cabinet positions.

Calling for a more balanced and consultative approach, the chief minister urged that all stakeholders be involved before finalising any changes to constituency boundaries or seat allocation. He emphasised the importance of maintaining federal equity to ensure that all regions have a fair voice in national decision-making.

Reddy further appealed for greater unity among southern states to collectively address the issue, cautioning that an imbalance in representation could deepen regional divides if left unaddressed.