Kerala's Lok Sabha representation will shrink from 20 to 18 seats due to the population-based redrawing of constituencies.

While Home Minister Amit Shah has assured that there will be no reduction in the number of seats for Southern states, even if this proposal is accepted, the number of seats in Northern states will increase. This demographic shift would further widen the regional disparities.

Under the expected population-based allocation, with one Member of Parliament (MP) representing an average of 2 million people, the total number of Lok Sabha seats would rise from the current 548 to 707. Tamil Nadu, currently holding 39 seats, would not face any reduction in its representation. However, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, when combined, would see their seats increase from 85 (Uttar Pradesh - 80, Uttarakhand - 5) to 126. Similarly, Bihar and Jharkhand’s combined seat count would increase from 54 to 85.

The proposed redivision highlights the growing imbalance between the Northern and Southern states, raising concerns about regional equity in political representation.

Widespread disapproval

Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Thursday questioned the Centre's stance on delimitation and demanded fair representation by increasing the number of seats for Tamil Nadu in Parliament.

Reacting to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's earlier remarks on the matter, Stalin pointed out inconsistencies in the government's approach.

"Why will it not affect (southern states)? When the new Parliament was built, PM Modi had said it (number of seats for northern states) was going to increase. In 2023, Amit Shah also said that it would affect the South Indian states. But, now Tamil Nadu CM has raised this issue, they are changing their stand...," said Stalin

"Our only demand is the way they are going to increase the number of seats for northern states, Tamil Nadu also wants its number of seats increased...," he added.

Earlier, in the day, claiming the future delimitation process as a 'disadvantage' to Southern states, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah termed Amit Shah's assurance to Southern states as not 'trustworthy.'

The Karnataka CM said that Shah's statement appears to be aimed at creating confusion in the southern states.

"Going by the home minister's vague remarks, it seems that either he lacks proper information or there is a deliberate intent to disadvantage the southern states, including Karnataka, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh," he said.

"If the Union Government genuinely wishes to ensure fairness for the southern states, the Home Minister must clarify whether delimitation will be based on the latest population ratio or the current number of Lok Sabha seats," the Karnataka CM stated.