Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed concerns over a possible North-South divide during the ongoing debate on delimitation and women’s reservation, making it clear that no region will be treated unfairly.
At a time when some leaders are raising fears that delimitation could benefit northern states more, Modi dismissed these claims. He said attempts to create a divide between regions are misleading and politically driven.
He assured that the Centre has no intention of creating any imbalance. According to him, whether it is a large state or small state, North or South, every region will be treated equally.
The concern, especially from southern states, is that population-based delimitation could reduce their relative representation in Parliament. States like Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have controlled population growth, which could impact seat allocation if strict population criteria are applied.
Modi said such fears are unnecessary and reiterated that the exercise will be carried out in a fair manner.
He also linked delimitation to the implementation of women’s reservation. He said increasing representation through delimitation is essential to ensure 33 percent reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
Calling women’s reservation a right, not a favour, he warned that parties opposing it will face political consequences.
He pointed out that once implemented, around 272 Lok Sabha seats could be reserved for women, marking a major shift in representation.
In a notable remark, Modi said he does not seek credit for the bill and even asked opposition parties to take credit if they support it. However, he made it clear that delaying or opposing the bill will not go unnoticed.
The focus now is not just on women’s reservation, but also on how delimitation will reshape political balance. Modi’s message was aimed at countering the North-South narrative before it gains further ground.
