The Indian National Congress has strongly opposed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central Government’s proposed delimitation model, calling it a "demographic penalization" of high-performing states, particularly in South India. The Congress has asserted that the BJP’s approach seeks to politically and economically disempower regions that have excelled in population control, economic growth, and social development.

The Congress Party has raised serious concerns about the delimitation exercise, which it believes disproportionately favors states with high population growth while penalizing those that have successfully implemented family planning measures. Since the 1971 Census, South Indian states have demonstrated strong commitment to national goals by controlling population growth and contributing significantly to the country’s GDP. However, the BJP’s proposed delimitation would effectively reduce the political representation of these states, curbing their influence in national decision-making.

The party has highlighted the declining share of financial devolution to Southern states despite their higher contributions to national revenue. The disparity in fund allocation for development programs and centrally sponsored schemes has already placed states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana at a disadvantage. The Congress contends that the BJP’s delimitation model is yet another attempt to undermine these states by reducing their representation in Parliament.

Why the BJP Model is unacceptable

The Congress Party firmly rejects the use of population as the sole basis for delimitation, arguing that such a formula would permanently marginalize South India and other well-performing states like Punjab. It has pointed out that using a pro-rata system, which increases parliamentary seats in proportion to population, would further tilt the balance of power towards states with historically high fertility rates, such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

“This model will make South Indian states secondary citizens in their own country, silencing their voices in Parliament while making them bear the financial burden of failed governance in other regions,” the party stated. Congress leaders have warned that the BJP’s plan will lead to an irreversible concentration of political power in a few states, threatening national unity and fairness in representation.

Congress pledges to resist BJP’s attempts to undermine Democracy

The Congress Party, along with its allies, has vowed to resist the BJP’s delimitation model at all levels, including legislative assemblies, public campaigns, and legal avenues if necessary. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has called for a united front among South Indian states to demand fair representation, emphasizing that high-performing states should be rewarded, not penalized.

“We will not allow the BJP to politically demonetize South India. This is not just a regional issue but a national one—every citizen who believes in fairness and democracy must oppose this undemocratic delimitation,” Congress leaders affirmed.

The party has also announced plans to convene meetings with regional leaders, pass resolutions in state assemblies, and organize nationwide campaigns to educate citizens on the implications of the BJP’s proposed changes.