Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], March 23 : In the first meeting of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) on the delimitation issue, Congress leader V. Hanumantha Rao accused the NDA government at the Centre of intentionally taking up the delimitation issue, which he believes will harm the southern states.
He said, "NDA Government took up delimitation issue intentionally... Stalin started a good thing in yesterday's meeting. At the same time, in Telangana also Revanth Reddy can organise this meeting. It should continue."
Rao further pointed out that the delimitation process would lead to an increase in the number of seats in the north while seats in the south would be reduced.
He emphasized, "They are doing this to ignore the South. Delimitation will only benefit the Centre, seats in the North will be increased and those in the south will come down..."
Rao called for unity among all Chief Ministers across the country to resist this move. He argued that the south must not be sidelined and that leaders must work together to address this issue.
Meanwhile, BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal today took a jibe at the leaders of the Opposition for their stance over delimitation and accused them of 'politicising' the issue only to safeguard their "political relevance".
Highlighting the support extended to all states by the PM Modi Modi government, Khandelwal stressed that over the past decade, the Prime Minister has ensured equal development and assistance to every state in India, dismissing any claims of regional bias.
"Delimitation is not an issue, but some leaders from the southern states are trying to make an issue out of it because they are losing their identities from their politics. In the past 10 years, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has equally provided support to all the states of the country," Khandelwal told ANI.