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DMK on Alert as BJP Eyes Delimitation Bill Resurgence Amid Opposition Turmoil
The government's Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill and its accompanying delimitation proposals fell flat in April 2026, failing to garner the necessary two-thirds majority in Parliament. Responding to this setback, DMK leaders, including Wilson, introduced a private member's bill aimed at enacting women's reservation within the current 543 Lok Sabha seats, independent of any delimitation or census requirements. Notably, DMK MP Kanimozhi slammed the association of these issues as a "trap" that undermines the federal structure.
While the DMK seems poised to oppose any bill perceived as harmful to Tamil Nadu's interests, party insiders indicate that discussions on the revised proposal will take place before a formal stance is adopted. DMK representatives are also advocating for the inclusion of metrics beyond mere population figures in the delimitation process, such as Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), industrial growth, and family planning success. DMK spokesperson R.S. Bharathi emphasized that the reintroduction of the Delimitation Bill remains speculative, asserting,
“It is not mandatory for us to decide anything now but we will keep the interests of the people of Tamil Nadu first.”
In Tamil Nadu, the DMK has severed its longstanding alliance with the Congress party following Congress's support for actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in the recent Assembly elections. The DMK is now exploring the formation of a new regional front that opposes both the BJP and Congress. In West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) faces internal strife after its recent electoral defeat, with around 58 MLAs backing expelled leader Ritabrata Banerjee and a significant portion of its Lok Sabha MPs signaling support for the BJP-led NDA. These shifts underscore a fragmentation within the opposition, benefiting the BJP at the national level.
The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill was defeated in the Lok Sabha on April 17, 2026, tallying 298 votes for and 230 against, but falling short of the required 352 votes. Should the DMK abstain from voting against a reintroduced Delimitation Bill, it could significantly aid the BJP by lowering the number of opposing votes and bringing the government closer to the majority it needs, possibly aided by other wavering factions like parts of the TMC.
DMK sources maintain that the party's public position is steadfast in protecting the representation of southern states while advocating for the separation of women's reservation from the delimitation process. Previously, the DMK expressed concerns that linking the women's reservation bill to the next census would lead to a loss of representation for Tamil Nadu, as states with higher population growth could gain more seats. Ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, DMK chief M.K. Stalin publicly denounced the proposed Delimitation Bill, leading protests and warning that any moves detrimental to Tamil Nadu would incite widespread agitation. He stressed,
“When the Union government urged us to control population growth... we complied. Is this now the punishment for having done what was asked of us?”
Stalin has accused the Central government of acting unilaterally and disregarding the voices from southern states, arguing that such actions threaten the principles of federalism. He has vowed to mobilize protests reminiscent of the DMK's historical self-respect and anti-Hindi movements, framing the struggle as one for principles and state rights rather than a mere battle for electoral power.
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