Delimitation row: Revanth Reddy backs Stalin; ‘BJP doing vendetta politics against south’, says Telangana CM

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah extended support to Stalin on Wednesday. Southern states fear delimitation exercise will reduce representation of southern states in Lok Sabha

Revanth Reddy Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy being invited to participate in the Joint Action Group meeting regarding the delimitation of parliamentary constituencies in Chennai | PTI

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy announced his support for Tamil Nadu counterpart M.K. Stalin’s stand against delimitation and charged the Bharatiya Janata Party is punishing the southern states.

Addressing presspersons in Delhi, Reddy said, “The Union government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party is conspiring against the southern states. This is not a delimitation but a 'limitation' for southern states. We won't accept this at any cost.” 

A delegation of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leaders led by MP Kanimozhi met Reddy in Delhi and handed over an invitation from Stalin to join the meeting against delimitation. Reddy said he welcomes the Tamil Nadu chief minister’s stand. Attacking the BJP, Reddy said, “BJP is doing all this to settle scores with the people of southern states because they there never allowed the BJP to grow (in the south). BJP is doing vendetta politics.”

Reddy said he has agreed with Tamil Nadu’s demand in principle and will attend the meeting after seeking permission from Congress's high command. On Wednesday, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah extended support to Stalin. “We condemn without hesitation all the actions of the central government that are against the interests of Karnataka, weaken democracy, and go against the federal principle of the Constitution," Siddaramaiah had said. 

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has staunchly opposed the new delimitation exercise for determining Lok Sabha seats. The key opposition leader expressed concern that the exercise would significantly reduce the representation of southern states in the Parliament due to the successful implementation of population control measures in these states. Earlier, Stalin conducted an all-party meeting in Tamil Nadu. Stalin said though the Centre says the seats of southern states will not be reduced, the Union government is refusing to comment anything regarding the increase of seats in northern states.

Join our WhatsApp Channel to get the latest news, exclusives and videos on WhatsApp