Ever since the central government started discussing delimitation practice, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has made it clear that he supports this process contrary to his southern counterparts under the leadership of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin.
Supporting the NDA government’s move, Mr. Naidu – who had previously promoted family planning and talked about the population explosion – said that they have changed their views on the population and are now promoting population growth, arguing that India’s biggest profit on developed countries is its demonstrative dividend.
He further said that South Indian states including Andhra Pradesh were also facing issues of aging compared to the northern states. And that’s why he is now promoting population growth.
In the recently concluded assembly budget session, Mr. Naidu made it clear that after the delimitation process is completed after the 2026 census, women’s stake in the assembly will increase to 75 seats as per the reservation norms of women.
After the 2024 general and assembly elections, after winning the landslide and formed the NDA coalition government in Andhra Pradesh, Mr. Naidu overturned a three -decade -old rule, disqualifying candidates with more than two children from the local civic elections.
Now the question is whether their support for delimitation will separate them from other southern states. In particular, he did not attend the meeting called by Mr. Stalin. The meeting expected Mr. Naidu’s absence, as his party is part of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), NDA, as well as with the Janna Sena Party of Pawan Kalyan.
Interestingly, Mr. Naidu is aware that if the delimitation process is performed after the 2026 census, unlike states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, the representation of Andhra Pradesh in the Lok Sabha will not increase to a large extent. However, he has no other option.
Do not repeat the past
As a TDP leader, Mr. Naidu is unlikely to repeat his previous mistake of BJP’s separate or opposing, as he made before the 2019 elections. He not only lost the election for Andhra Pradesh on the issue of special category status, but also invited the anger of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. Only a few days before the coalition deal 2024 elections, thanks to the efforts of Shri Kalyan.
It is also worth noting that Shri Naidu formed the government with the support of NDA for the first time in 2014, after the Djat of Andhra Pradesh. Now, in 2024, he has become the Chief Minister for the fourth time, again with the same alliance.
On the other hand, former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party President YS Jagan Mohan Reddy also did not attend Mr. Stalin’s meeting despite being invited. However, he sent a letter to the Prime Minister, emphasizing the need to amend the Constitution to give an impact in the number of Lok Sabha seats for each state. Through records, Mr. Jagan never opposed the NDA on any issue. In fact, he has supported the passage of several controversial bills.
Currently, Andhra Pradesh has 25 Lok Sabha seats, and under the proposed delimitation formula, this number is expected to increase to only 28. In contrast, Uttar Pradesh is scheduled to increase from 80 to 128, and Bihar ranges from 40 to 70.
Mr. Naidu has clearly stated that delimitation should be linked to population management. He has also expressed that the delimitation process should not reduce the number of Lok Sabha seats, but should ensure proper distribution.
He also said that Andhra Pradesh followed family planning programs, which is why there has been no significant increase in population compared to northern states such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
While Mr. Shah has said that no seat in the southern states will be less, he has not specified the numbers.
Now, whether delimitation for the Andhra Pradesh government will become a major issue and will it find itself in a delicate debate with the Center in the coming days.
The total growth in the seats of five southern states is expected to be around 16, when compared to about 190 seats from other states in the lower homes.
sumit.b@thehindu.co.in
Published – 03 April, 2025 01:20 AM IST