News Summary
- Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi opposing population-based seat expansion.
- Reddy warned that increasing Lok Sabha seats to around 850 based on population would hurt southern states.
- He proposed a hybrid model where half the seats are allocated by population and half by development indicators.
- Reddy also urged the Centre to implement 33% women’s reservation immediately without waiting for delimitation.
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi opposing the Centre’s plan to expand Lok Sabha seats based primarily on population. Reddy argued that southern states, which followed national guidance on population control, should not lose political ground because of that compliance.
The Centre has proposed raising Lok Sabha seats to around 850. Reddy warned this would shift power disproportionately toward more populous northern states, weakening southern representation in Parliament. He said basing seat allocation solely on population is undemocratic and distorts federal balance.
The Hybrid Model Reddy Is Proposing
Reddy put forward a hybrid seat allocation model as an alternative. Under this model, half the seats would be assigned based on population. The remaining half would be determined by economic growth, literacy rates, health indicators, and overall development performance.
Reddy said this approach would reward states that have invested in development and population control, rather than penalising them. He also flagged that southern states already face disadvantages in tax devolution, and further political imbalance would deepen regional disparities.
Women’s Reservation Should Not Wait
Reddy welcomed the proposal to give women 33% reservation in legislatures. However, he cautioned that tying women’s reservation to the delimitation process would delay its rollout. He urged the Centre to implement the quota within the existing seat count, without waiting for constituency reorganisation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Revanth Reddy oppose population-based delimitation?
Reddy argues that southern states followed national population control policies and should not be penalised with reduced parliamentary seats as a result. He says allocating seats solely on population would shift power toward more populous northern states and weaken the federal balance.
What is the hybrid model Revanth Reddy proposed?
Under Reddy’s hybrid model, half the Lok Sabha seats would be allocated based on population and the other half based on development indicators such as economic growth, literacy, and health. He says this rewards states that have focused on development and population control.
What did Revanth Reddy say about women’s reservation and delimitation?
Reddy welcomed the 33% women’s reservation proposal but warned that linking it to delimitation would delay implementation. He urged the Centre to roll out the quota immediately within the current number of seats.
How many Lok Sabha seats is the Centre proposing under delimitation?
The Centre’s proposal would increase Lok Sabha seats to around 850, up from the current 543. Reddy opposes this expansion if it is based purely on population figures.
