Mahabalipuram , Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Thursday urged the Southern Zonal Council to adopt a resolution calling on the Union government to honour the 1971 census as the basis for delimitation, retain the Lok Sabha’s existing strength of 543 seats for the next 25 years and accommodate women’s reservation within these existing seats.
“We welcome the assurance that no southern state will lose seats. But representation is not only about numbers.
Addressing the 31st meeting of the Southern Zonal Council here, Shivakumar said the South’s success in controlling its population must not become a reason for reducing its political voice. It is about weight, and about voice,” he said.
“That success must never become the reason to make our voice smaller. “I am confident that all the Chief Ministers here will support me in what I say. “Women have waited long enough for their rightful representation. Let me assure you, every drop of water from the Mekedatu project will help farmers in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
Let the 1971 basis be honoured, and let the strength of our voice be protected,” he said.
Shivakumar said the southern states had responded to the country’s call for population stabilisation with discipline and success, and should not be penalised for that achievement during the delimitation exercise. Our economic weight must be matched with political voice,” he said. Their reservation should not have to wait for a population count,” he said. “While walking to the meeting, senior leader and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu ji told me that we need to solve the Cauvery water issue between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Help us help you,” he said.
