Punjab, Haryana face shrinking representation as delimitation gains momentum

As the debate over the upcoming delimitation exercise intensifies, concerns are now emerging from North India, particularly Punjab and Haryana, after Tamil Nadu’s strong opposition.

Senior Congress leader and Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari on Thursday, 6 March, warned that the existing formula for delimitation would disproportionately impact these northern states, significantly reducing their representation in the Lok Sabha.

Tewari argued that if the exercise proceeds based on the current principles of "one citizen, one vote, one value," the north would also suffer a decline in its parliamentary strength, alongside the south.

Punjab and Haryana, which currently hold 13 and 10 Lok Sabha seats, respectively, could see their combined total drop to just 18 seats, he cautioned.

Posting on X, Tewari cited a Tribune report on Tamil Nadu chief minister M.K. Stalin's all-party resolution, which demanded that the 1971 Census remain the benchmark for delimitation.

Supporting this stance, Tewari pointed out that Punjab’s influence in national politics is already marginal and would further diminish under the existing formula.

“The number of Lok Sabha seats from Punjab and Haryana post-delimitation would be just 18—down from the existing 23. But even more concerning is the fact that, as a proportion of the overall Lok Sabha strength, these states would become even more inconsequential,” the former Union minister stated.

Tewari also raised questions about the intra-regional impact of delimitation. "Would Punjab accept parity with Haryana in seat distribution? Would Himachal Pradesh be content with its representation remaining unchanged? Would Jammu and Kashmir accept only a marginal increase from six to nine seats?" he asked, highlighting potential political tensions within the northern region itself.

According to him, the biggest beneficiaries of delimitation would be states in Central India, which have lagged in population stabilization efforts and are therefore set to gain more seats.

This, he suggested, could deepen the regional imbalance in parliamentary representation.

Advocating for an alternative approach, Tewari stressed the need for a fresh formula or a perpetual freeze on delimitation. "A new formula must be devised, or delimitation must be put on hold indefinitely," he asserted.

With southern states and now parts of the north voicing discontent, the delimitation exercise could become a major flashpoint between the ruing BJP and the opposition, potentially reshaping the balance of power between regions.