Thiruvananthapuram, April 15 Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday strongly criticised the Centre’s proposed constituency delimitation exercise, warning that it could undermine India's federal structure and weaken the principle of equitable representation among states.
In a detailed statement, the Chief Minister said the move cannot be viewed as a routine administrative reform.
He expressed concern over the Union government’s reported plan to introduce a delimitation bill in a special session of Parliament, based on the 2011 Census.
Such a proposal, he said, could significantly affect the rights of states and disturb the balance of representation in the Lok Sabha.
Vijayan also flagged the lack of wider consultation, noting that the Centre appears to be proceeding without adequate discussions with state governments.
"On an issue of such importance, consensus is essential," he said, calling the approach deeply concerning.
A key concern highlighted by the Chief Minister is the possibility of increased political dominance of more populous northern states.
Kerala and other states that have successfully implemented population control measures could be disproportionately affected, he warned.
"States that showed responsibility in areas such as family planning, education, healthcare, and women’s empowerment are now at risk of being penalised," Vijayan said.
Reduced representation for such states, he added, goes against the spirit of a fair federal system.
He also termed the situation a double standard, pointing out that states which followed population control policies encouraged by successive Central governments may now lose out, while those that did not may gain.
The Chief Minister further criticised attempts to link the exercise with progressive measures like women’s reservation.
While supporting greater political representation for women, he said such measures should not be used to justify changes that compromise federal balance.
Emphasising that democracy is not merely about numerical strength, Vijayan said it must rest on justice and balanced representation.
He urged the Centre to reconsider and withdraw from what he described as a move with serious long-term implications for the country’s unity and democratic framework.
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