Let’s first establish what we can all agree upon, irrespective of our political inclinations. First, due to the vastly differing pace of economic development, population growth in the south has been slower than in the north. Second, any delimitation exercise undertaken to readjust seats in Parliament based on the latest population data will increase the north’s share of seats. Third, any prospective delimitation exercise must not punish the south for managing its population well.

The Narendra Modi-led NDA is aware of the sensitivities of southern states, which fear that delimitation based on the latest population data (2026 Census) will reduce their representation in Parliament. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has assured southern states that they need not fear the consequences, stating that “after delimitation, on pro rata basis, not a single seat will be reduced in any southern state”.

Despite the assurance, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has rallied the leaders of the five southern states to come together on March 5 to blunt the NDA’s delimitation “sword” that he claims is “hanging over southern states”.

A close examination of the arguments being made by the DMK, however, reveals inconsistencies that expose its latent hypocrisy on delimitation.

First, the DMK is a big votary of the........

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