MK Stalin, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, announced that the opposition’s campaign against the delimitation process has been successful, following the failure of the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha. This announcement came on April 18, 2023, after the bill could not secure the necessary approval in Parliament, marking a significant victory for the opposition coalition known as the INDIA bloc.

Stalin expressed gratitude to the MPs and the citizens, particularly women, for their role in defeating what he referred to as a “black law”. He noted that the campaign against delimitation had been strategically planned for nearly a year, involving coordinated efforts from both state government officials and opposition leaders.

In a video shared on social media, Stalin expressed his satisfaction over the outcome, highlighting numerous protests that contributed to building resistance against the proposed law. These protests included burning copies of the bill, which he claimed helped galvanise public sentiment and bolster the opposition’s stance in Parliament.

Opposition Unity Cited as Key Factor

Stalin emphasised the importance of unity among the opposition in this achievement, stating that it served as a “hammer blow” against divisive tactics aimed at disrupting national harmony. He recognised the unprecedented nature of the bill’s failure, pointing out that it has been 12 years since a constitutional amendment introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government had not been approved.

The Chief Minister extended his acknowledgment to various political leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and Mallikarjun Kharge, for their collective efforts in opposing the bill. He also expressed appreciation for the support received from leaders of regional parties throughout India, including West Bengal’s Mamata Banerjee and Uttar Pradesh’s Akhilesh Yadav.

Stalin specifically praised the women of Tamil Nadu for countering the BJP’s strategy to present the delimitation bill as a component of women’s reservation, asserting that their active participation was pivotal in the successful opposition to the measure.

Call for Long-Term Constitutional Changes

Despite declaring the current situation as a “half-victory,” Stalin called on the Union government to consider a constitutional amendment to postpone the delimitation of constituencies for another 25 years, extending the timeline to 2051. He underscored the importance of this amendment, comparing it to similar actions taken in 2001.

Stalin conveyed that true victory could only be achieved through the immediate implementation of the women’s reservation law, which was supported and passed earlier in 2023. He asserted that the BJP must act without any preconditions based on the existing number of parliamentary members to ensure complete justice for women.

The Chief Minister accused his political adversaries, specifically Edappadi K. Palaniswami and his party, of aligning with the central government and hence failing to support Tamil Nadu’s interests. He reiterated the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s historical role as a defender of social justice and rights within the constitutional framework.

Stalin concluded with confidence regarding the electoral prospects for his party and allies in the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, asserting that the BJP and its local collaborators would face a significant defeat. This statement follows the BJP-led government’s inability to gather the required majority for the delimitation bill, highlighting the shifting political landscape in the state.

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