Chennai, April 15: Chief Minister MK Stalin has announced a series of black flag protests following an emergency session with DMK lawmakers to discuss the potential repercussions of the 2026 delimitation exercise. The Chief Minister declared that the state government would resist any attempt to restructure parliamentary seats that penalizes southern states for their social and economic progress.
The protest call follows a proposal to expand the Lower House to 850 members, which critics argue will disproportionately benefit more populous northern states. Stalin noted that the move appears to be a calculated effort to marginalize the political influence of the South, describing the legislative draft as a “grave danger” to regional autonomy.
“The delimitation amendment bill that the Union government plans to introduce is a massive historic injustice,” Stalin declared. He stated that as the head of the DMK, he would ensure that the voice of the Tamil people is heard through visible demonstrations of dissent across every district.
The opposition to the bill is gaining momentum across the region, with Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy recently proposing a “hybrid model” for seat allocation. Stalin affirmed that the southern states remain united in their quest for an equitable future and are exploring all avenues to secure a pro rata distribution of additional seats.
During the meeting with party district secretaries, Stalin maintained that the government’s approach to women’s reservation and delimitation suggests ulterior motives. He asserted that the DMK will continue to reach out to parliamentary colleagues from other states to protect the interests of the southern polity ahead of the upcoming state elections.
