Shivakumar seeks Southern Zonal Council resolution to retain 543 Lok Sabha seats, honour 1971 census

Mahabalipuram, Karnataka - Chief Minister D K Shivakumar called on the Southern Zonal Council to adopt a resolution requesting the Union government to uphold the 1971 census as the basis for delimitation, maintain the Lok Sabha's current 543 seats for the next 25 years, and incorporate women's reservation within these existing seats.

Addressing the 31st meeting of the Southern Zonal Council, Shivakumar emphasized that the South's success in controlling population growth should not diminish its political voice. He assured that no southern state will lose seats, but representation encompasses weight and voice. Shivakumar urged the Council to protect the 1971 population basis and maintain the overall strength of the Lok Sabha.

He also linked the delimitation issue with women's reservation, demanding that women's representation not be delayed due to a new delimitation exercise. Shivakumar's remarks come as southern states worry that a population-based delimitation could alter the balance of parliamentary representation between states with successful population-control measures and those with larger populations.