KTR Warns of Southern Uprising if Delimitation Cuts LS Seats

HYDERABAD: BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao on Monday warned of a strong people’s movement across southern India if the proposed delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies resulted in a reduction of seats in southern states.

Referring to reports of change in the seat matrix following the delimitation, Rao, though subtly, hinted at a combined fight of people’s representatives from the south. “We are all proud Indians and representatives of best-performing states of India. We will not remain mute spectators if the voices and representation of our people in the country’s highest democratic forum are suppressed,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).

“Hope wisdom prevails and Delhi is listening,” he added.

Pat came the support from the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, a friendly party of the BRS, whose president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi shared Rama Rao’s post with a comment: “South India is sitting on a Powder Keg as far as delimitation is concerned (sic).”

Delimitation was back in the spotlight following the Centre’s decision to implement 33 per cent reservation to women in Legislature, post delimitation of Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies across the country. Uncertainty prevailed over the exercise, which was due after 2024, as the Centre did not take up a Census in 2021.

Based on the procedure for delimitation taken up earlier and unconfirmed reports, authorities concerned would take population as the basis for delimitation and progressive states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka, besides the two Telugu states, which contained population growth, would lose seats.

According to an estimate quoted by the BRS working president, the combined strength of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana would come down to 34 from the present 42.