Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has reiterated his opposition to a proposed delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies, warning that increasing the number of seats based on population could weaken the political voice of southern states.
Speaking at the India Today Karnataka Roundtable, Shivakumar said the representation of South India must be protected and argued that states that successfully controlled population growth should not be penalised through a redistribution of parliamentary seats.
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“We respected the Centre’s population policy many years ago, which is why our population growth is much lower compared to North India. Now, when financial decisions are being taken based on population, we are being discriminated against despite having followed the population policy,” the Chief Minister said.
Shivakumar rejected the Centre’s proposal to increase the number of Parliament seats by 50 per cent across states, calling it a political strategy aimed at benefiting northern states.
“I don’t agree with that. It is simply a political strategy. Whatever they are trying to raise, whether it is 50 per cent or more, North India will get more. Raising that number will create confusion among South Indians, and ultimately, the voice of South India will be choked,” Shivakumar said in the first media interview after assuming office as the Chief Minister.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
