Delimitation And Its Implications

The concept of delimitation has been a contentious issue since the 42nd Amendment of the Constitution in 1977. While the principle of ‘one citizen, one vote’ is fundamental to democracy, it contradicts federalism, potentially disadvantaging states that have successfully controlled their population growth.

Understanding Delimitation

• Constitutional Provisions: Articles 81 and 82 of the Indian Constitution establish the principle of equal representation, ensuring a uniform ratio of seats to population across states.
• Seat Allocation: The Lok Sabha can have a maximum of 530 members from states and 20 from Union Territories. Currently, there are 530 state representatives and 13 from UTs.
• Basis of Representation: The number of seats per state is determined based on population data from the most recent census. However, the freeze on seat allocation since 1971 has led to disparities in representation.
• Post-2026 Delimitation: Once the next census is conducted, seat reallocation will take place, which may penalize states with lower population growth rates while benefiting those with high fertility rates.

Democracy And Federalism

• Contradictory Principles: While ‘one citizen, one vote’ is a core democratic value, it conflicts with federalism, which seeks to ensure balanced representation among states.
• The US Model: The United States resolves this by proportional representation in the House of Representatives and equal state representation in the Senate.
• India’s Approach: Instead of addressing the issue, India has deferred it repeatedly, with the latest census delay further complicating matters.
• Upcoming Changes: Once the census is conducted, states with controlled population growth will likely lose representation, while states with high population growth will gain more seats.

Impact On Southern States

• Reduction in Seats: If the Lok Sabha seat count remains at 543, Southern states (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana) may see their seats drop from 129 to 103.
• Disproportionate Loss: These states, which effectively implemented population control policies, now face reduced influence in national decision-making.
• Political Consequences: A diminished seat share weakens their voice in the Parliament, affecting their ability to advocate for regional interests.

Potential Expansion Of Lok Sabha

• Increased Seats for High-Population States: No guarantee exists that the populous states (Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh) won’t see an increase in representation.
• Need for Expansion: The only way to balance this is by increasing the total number of Lok Sabha seats.
• New Lok Sabha Chamber: Designed to accommodate 888 members, an expansion could see the Southern states’ representation drop from 23.76% (129/543) to 14.53% (129/888), significantly weakening their influence.

Winners And Losers

• Winners: High fertility rate states stand to gain more representation and power in the Parliament.
• Losers: States with low TFR, especially in the South, will see their influence shrink.
• Rajya Sabha Imbalance: The Upper House is already skewed in favor of populous states, exacerbating the disparity.
• Political Stalemate: If the central government insists on delimitation and the Southern states resist, it could lead to a constitutional crisis and national discord.

Seeking A Balanced Resolution

• Need for a Fair Formula: A middle ground is essential to ensure fairness in representation while maintaining federal balance.
• Learning from Other Nations: Exploring global best practices could help India craft a more equitable system.
• Avoiding Conflict: A confrontational approach will lead to instability; proactive discussions are necessary to reach a consensus before 2026.

The challenge now lies in whether India has the wisdom and political will to find a solution that upholds both democracy and federalism.

Source: P Chidambaram writes: Delimitation Dilemma, The Indian Express, March 9, 2025

Also Read

• Everything You Wanted To Know About Delimitation
• Should India Adopt Proportional Representation?
• Shifting Demographics: North vs South India’s Population Dynamics