Delimitation Should Unite, Not Divide India

The upcoming 2026 delimitation exercise, set to redraw India’s parliamentary seats after the next census, has sparked heated debate, with southern states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka crying foul over potential seat losses. Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin recently hosted a meeting in Chennai, rallying chief ministers from states expected to lose out—Andhra Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Odisha, West Bengal, and Telangana among them—while states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh stand to gain. The southern states argue they’re being punished for effective population control, but framing this as a North-South divide is a dangerous oversimplification. India’s future hinges on seeing delimitation as a chance for unity, not regional rivalry.

The numbers tell a story, but not the whole one. States like Tamil Nadu, with 39 MPs, fear a slashed voice in Parliament, while UP and Bihar’s growing populations could add dozens of seats. Yet, population isn’t destiny—it’s a snapshot of progress. Southern states have thrived on education and healthcare, curbing growth, while northern states grapple with systemic gaps. Freezing delimitation for 25 years, as some propose, only delays the inevitable. Instead, why not reimagine representation? If the total MP count rises, Tamil Nadu’s share could grow proportionally, ensuring no state feels sidelined. A formula that rewards development alongside population—like factoring in literacy or healthcare metrics—could balance fairness with growth, turning a divisive exercise into a nation-building one.

Delimitation isn’t a zero-sum game. It’s a chance to rethink how India’s diverse voices echo in Parliament. States shouldn’t be pitted against each other but encouraged to share best practices—South’s healthcare models for the North, North’s infrastructure push for the South. As the International Institute for Migration and Development suggests, migration and urbanization are reshaping India. Let’s use delimitation to reflect that shared journey, not to draw battle lines. A united India, where every region feels heard, is the real victory waiting in 2026.