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The development comes amid a visible strain in ties between the DMK and the Congress following the latter’s decision to part ways with its long-time ally and back Vijay’s TVK.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi being greeted as DMK chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin looks on. (IMAGE: PTI FILE)
The Centre’s push to revive the contentious delimitation bill in the Monsoon Session could redraw not just parliamentary constituencies but also political equations within the INDIA bloc, after an exclusive claim made to CNN-News18 suggested the DMK may be willing to back the legislation.
Speaking to CNN-News18’s Arunima, Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) MP NK Premachandran claimed that the DMK had supported the government’s move to bring the delimitation bill during the all-party meeting ahead of the Monsoon Session.
Asked whether the government intended to introduce the bill, Premachandran replied, “Unfortunately, DMK has just supported the delimitation bill.”
When asked whether he was referring to the all-party meeting, Premachandran responded, “Yeah, all-party meeting. They have supported it.”
If the claim translates into support on the floor of the House, it could significantly improve the NDA’s prospects of securing the two-thirds majority required to pass the legislation—something the government failed to secure during the Budget Session, when the bill could not be passed.
CNN-News18 also reported that the DMK appeared to have adopted a nuanced position during the all-party meeting. While the party is understood to have backed discussions on the delimitation bill, it is learnt to have sought assurances that southern states, which have successfully implemented population control measures, would not lose parliamentary representation.
The development comes amid a visible strain in ties between the DMK and the Congress following the latter’s decision to part ways with its long-time ally and back Vijay’s TVK in forming the Tamil Nadu government. Once seen as moving in lockstep within the INDIA bloc, the two parties now appear to be taking divergent positions on key parliamentary issues, with delimitation emerging as the latest flashpoint.
Hours before Premachandran’s remarks, senior DMK leader T.K.S. Elangovan stopped short of confirming any formal backing for the bill but indicated that the party remained open to discussions while reiterating its long-standing concern that southern states should not be disadvantaged.
“They are trying to bring many bills, including delimitation… many parties have given various suggestions… Let us wait and see,” Elangovan told ANI.
“We are not giving any consideration. We are not giving any recommendation, but the only thing is that we want the southern states not to be affected,” he added.
The DMK’s potential support for the Delimitation Bill could strain INDIA bloc unity. Revolutionary Socialist Party MP N.K. Premachandran claimed the DMK agreed to back the bill during an all-party meeting.
About the Author
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has c…Read More
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