Chennai/Hyderabad, August 20: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday chaired the 31st meeting of the Southern Zonal Council at Kovalam near Chennai, where Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar raised concerns over delimitation and political representation for southern states.
The meeting brought together leaders from southern states to discuss inter-state disputes, development priorities and other issues of regional importance.
The Southern Zonal Council comprises Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana, along with the Union Territories of Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
Shivakumar urged the Council to adopt a resolution asking the Union government to retain the 1971 Census as the basis for delimitation.
He also called for the existing strength of the Lok Sabha to remain at 543 seats for the next 25 years, with women’s reservation accommodated within the existing number of seats.
Shivakumar argued that southern states should not face a reduction in their political representation because of their success in controlling population growth.
He said the region had responded to the country’s population stabilisation efforts with discipline and should not be penalised during the delimitation exercise.
“We welcome the assurance that no southern state will lose seats. But representation is not only about numbers. It is about weight, and about voice,” Shivakumar said.
He expressed confidence that other southern leaders would support the demand to protect the region’s political representation.
Shivakumar also linked the delimitation debate with women’s reservation, saying its implementation should not be delayed because of a fresh delimitation exercise.
The Karnataka leader also raised the Mekedatu project, which has been a contentious issue between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
He argued that the proposed balancing reservoir could benefit farmers in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry by helping regulate the flow of Cauvery water.
“Every drop of water from the Mekedatu project will help farmers in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Help us help you,” he said.
Tamil Nadu has opposed the project, maintaining that it could affect the state’s interests in the Cauvery water-sharing arrangement.
The Cauvery dispute and Mekedatu project were discussed against the backdrop of the broader need for cooperation among southern states.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for leaders from the southern states to interact on regional priorities.
Shivakumar said he exchanged views with leaders from neighbouring states on issues concerning the development and interests of the southern region.
He also highlighted his interaction with Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan, Telangana Deputy Chief Minister and other leaders ahead of the Council meeting.
Satheesan separately said he held an interaction with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on the sidelines of the meeting. Kerala Industries and IT Minister P K Kunhalikutty was also present.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay also felicitated Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the meeting.
The Southern Zonal Council meeting is expected to deliberate on several inter-state and national issues concerning the region, with cooperation between the southern states forming a key focus of the discussions.
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