The DMK and the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) party have said they will oppose any move to implement delimitation in Tamil Nadu if a related bill is introduced in Parliament, even though the Centre’s agenda for the monsoon session starting on July 20 does not include a ‘delimitation package’ of which the Nari Shakti Adhiniyam Bill, or Women’s Protection Bill, is an important component.
The issue figured prominently in the party’s MPs’ meeting held on July 16, where party president M K Stalin instructed the MPs to act as a “constructive opposition” while resisting measures that could affect the interests of Tamil Nadu.
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Speaking to reporters on Friday, DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai said the party will oppose any new legislation brought by the BJP government at the Center if it violates the rights of the state or violates the Constitution of India.
“DMK held a meeting of MPs with our leader MK Stalin and ordered them to be constructive and oppose this delimitation bill which will be against the interest of states, especially Tamil Nadu. We will lose if the bill is passed like what happened on the last occasion,” he said.
Annadurai said the BJP had indicated the possibility of holding an all-party meeting on the issue, but added that the party would await the details before taking a final stand.
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“We will have to wait and see what comes out of this comprehensive party meeting and what the BJP proposes,” he said.
He pointed out that no draft law to demarcate borders was included in the legislation scheduled for the monsoon session.
“So, we have to see, and it (the demarcation bill) is not on the list of bills issued by the parliamentary ministry. So we have to see whether they will introduce it, whether there will be any all-party meeting, so all these things are there,” he said.
The DMK has been an outspoken opponent of the demarcation proposal. On 16 April this year, Stalin publicly burned a representative copy of the proposed bill, calling it a “black law” and claiming that it would adversely affect the Tamil people. The proposed legislation and related constitutional amendments were rejected in Parliament the next day after failing to obtain the required two-thirds majority.
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TVK president and CM C Joseph Vijay also opposed the exercise. Ahead of the Assembly elections, Vijay termed the proposed delimitation process as a “biased” move by the Union government. After assuming office, he reiterated his position during a visit to Karur on July 10.
“Talks are starting from the central government on introducing delimitation. No matter who offers it, Tamil Nadu will strongly reject it. We must not allow our legitimate representation to be stripped away and we will ensure that it is not taken away,” Vijay said.
But the BJP has defended the practice. “Demarcation should happen. It should have happened in 2000 itself,” party spokesman Narayanan Thirupathi said.
AIADMK leaders refused to comment on the issue.
