Vehemently opposing the proposed delimitation exercise by the BJP-led Central Government, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday called it “unfair, undemocratic, and aimed at weakening opposition voices”. Mann, speaking at the first Joint Action Committee (JAC) meeting chaired by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, warned that Punjab’s share in Parliament would shrink despite an increase in the number of Lok Sabha seats.
Currently, Punjab has 13 Lok Sabha seats, accounting for 2.39 percent of the total 543 seats. However, if the Lok Sabha is expanded to 850 seats post-delimitation, Punjab’s share would drop to 2.11 percent, even as its seat count rises to 18. Mann argued that Punjab’s contribution to the nation’s freedom struggle and its sacrifices warrant a fairer allocation, demanding at least 21 seats to maintain its current share.
Mann accused the BJP of manipulating delimitation to consolidate power in Hindi-speaking states while reducing representation in opposition strongholds like Punjab and South India. “The BJP wants to eliminate seats where it can’t win and increase seats in states like Uttar Pradesh, where it dominates. This is a draconian move to weaken democracy,” he said.
Punjab CM criticized the Centre for penalizing states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala, which have successfully implemented population control measures. He warned that the BJP’s plan to trifurcate constituencies in its favour would distort democratic representation. “If Sangrur, my former constituency, were a BJP stronghold, they would have split it into three seats to maximize their gains,” he said.
Mann vowed to fight the delimitation process tooth and nail, calling it an attack on federalism and democracy. He urged opposition parties to unite against the move and invited them to hold the next JAC meeting in Punjab. “We will not let the BJP’s power-hungry agenda succeed. Punjab’s voice will not be silenced,” he declared.
The meeting, attended by Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, Telangana CM Revanth Reddy, and Karnataka Deputy CM Shivakumar, marked a significant step in opposition unity against what they termed the BJP’s “anti-democratic” policies.
