Congress Member of Parliament Karti Chidambaram has expressed concerns regarding the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party’s apparent shift in position on important legislative issues. He stated that the DMK should elucidate the reasons behind this inconsistency, implying an urgency for clarity on their changing stances.

In his comments, Chidambaram suggested that the DMK’s current alignment may be influenced by the proposed concept of ‘One Nation One Election’, which he believes could be an enticement leading to a more rapid call for elections. He warned that if the DMK continues on this path, it might face severe repercussions in future elections, potentially worse than its recent performance in the Assembly elections.

Concerns Raised Over Delimitation Bill

On the topic of the proposed Delimitation Bill, Chidambaram has urged the DMK to adhere to its previous opposition to the legislation. He remarked on the need for a unified stand against this proposal, which aims to reshape the distribution of parliamentary seats across states.

Chidambaram detailed his rationale for opposing the bill, stating that although the proposal suggests equitable percentage increases in parliamentary seats, it could disproportionately widen the gap between northern and southern Indian states. He explained that while Tamil Nadu and Puducherry currently hold 40 Lok Sabha seats, a 50 per cent increase in seats would elevate their count to 60, in stark contrast to a predicted increase in Uttar Pradesh’s seats from 80 to 120.

He emphasised that the absolute number of seats matters more significantly in parliamentary democracy than mere percentages, indicating that the southern states, which have lower population growth rates but contribute substantially to national taxes, would ultimately have their representation diminished.

Accountability of Ram Mandir Trust Under Scrutiny

Chidambaram also addressed the issue of the Ram Mandir trust, advocating for enhanced transparency and accountability regarding the temple’s management. He posited that, although the trust may be categorised as a private entity, its operations resemble those of public institutions due to the public donations it receives.

Stressing the importance of oversight, he called for the trust to be subjected to Right to Information (RTI) provisions and audits by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). Chidambaram further advocated for the trust’s activities to be open for discussion within the Parliament, thus ensuring accountability concerning public funds.

His statements coincided with the commencement of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, during which both Houses experienced repeated adjournments. The Opposition has been actively demanding discussions on the alleged embezzlement of donations to the Ram Mandir trust and concerns regarding the leaking of the NEET-UG exam papers.

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