1 vote for me, 1 lakh for Ambani? Tejasvi Surya slams Opposition on delimitation
Framing delimitation as a constitutional mandate, not a political choice, Surya cited Articles 81 and 82, which require balancing the population-to-seat ratio and redrawing constituencies.
A sharp exchange over the proposed delimitation exercise played out in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, with BJP MP Tejasvi Surya launching a pointed attack on the Opposition and questioning the logic behind their objections.
“On what basis do you want this delimitation exercise to be conducted? Will the rich have more votes and the poor have none?” Surya asked. “If you take this argument further, Mukesh Ambani will have one lakh votes and someone like us will have only one vote. Is this the kind of logic the Congress wants to build?” he said, dismissing Opposition concerns as flawed and politically motivated.
PROPAGANDA: SURYA TARGETS OPPOSITION
Surya accused the Opposition parties and southern regional players, particularly the DMK, of running a “misleading propaganda” campaign. “Why are Opposition parties and some regional parties of the South making so much noise? The tears they are shedding are crocodile tears,” he said.
He added that the BJP-led Centre would carry out delimitation in 2026 as mandated, and alleged that the Opposition was attempting to stall the process through “systematic misleading”.
DEFENDS EXERCISE AS CONSTITUTIONAL, NECESSARY
Framing delimitation as a constitutional obligation rather than a political choice, Surya said the process flows from Articles 81 and 82, which mandate balancing the population-to-seat ratio and redrawing constituencies.
He argued that the continued freeze based on the 1971 Census has led to wide disparities, with some constituencies now representing disproportionately large populations.
SOUTH CONCERNS DISMISSED
Addressing concerns that delimitation could disadvantage southern states, Surya said “the south could not have got a better deal than this”, rejecting claims of imbalance.
However, critics continue to argue that population-based redistribution could tilt representation towards northern states, raising questions over federal balance.
QUOTA DEBATE AND NUMBERS CONTEXT
Backing the government’s position, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal has said the exercise will follow the census and will not reduce any state’s representation, even as the Lok Sabha’s strength is expected to increase.
The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, the Delimitation Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill were introduced after a division, with 251 votes in favour and 185 against. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said the House will hold 15-18 hours of discussion, with voting scheduled for 4 pm on Friday.
Catch all the live updates from Parliament's Special Session here
A sharp exchange over the proposed delimitation exercise played out in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, with BJP MP Tejasvi Surya launching a pointed attack on the Opposition and questioning the logic behind their objections.
“On what basis do you want this delimitation exercise to be conducted? Will the rich have more votes and the poor have none?” Surya asked. “If you take this argument further, Mukesh Ambani will have one lakh votes and someone like us will have only one vote. Is this the kind of logic the Congress wants to build?” he said, dismissing Opposition concerns as flawed and politically motivated.
PROPAGANDA: SURYA TARGETS OPPOSITION
Surya accused the Opposition parties and southern regional players, particularly the DMK, of running a “misleading propaganda” campaign. “Why are Opposition parties and some regional parties of the South making so much noise? The tears they are shedding are crocodile tears,” he said.
He added that the BJP-led Centre would carry out delimitation in 2026 as mandated, and alleged that the Opposition was attempting to stall the process through “systematic misleading”.
DEFENDS EXERCISE AS CONSTITUTIONAL, NECESSARY
Framing delimitation as a constitutional obligation rather than a political choice, Surya said the process flows from Articles 81 and 82, which mandate balancing the population-to-seat ratio and redrawing constituencies.
He argued that the continued freeze based on the 1971 Census has led to wide disparities, with some constituencies now representing disproportionately large populations.
SOUTH CONCERNS DISMISSED
Addressing concerns that delimitation could disadvantage southern states, Surya said “the south could not have got a better deal than this”, rejecting claims of imbalance.
However, critics continue to argue that population-based redistribution could tilt representation towards northern states, raising questions over federal balance.
QUOTA DEBATE AND NUMBERS CONTEXT
Backing the government’s position, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal has said the exercise will follow the census and will not reduce any state’s representation, even as the Lok Sabha’s strength is expected to increase.
The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, the Delimitation Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill were introduced after a division, with 251 votes in favour and 185 against. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said the House will hold 15-18 hours of discussion, with voting scheduled for 4 pm on Friday.
Catch all the live updates from Parliament's Special Session here
