Telangana Chief Minister Calls for Urgent All-Party Meeting on Key Constitutional Issues
In a significant political development, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has formally urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to convene an all-party meeting at the earliest. The purpose of this meeting is to build consensus on three critical issues: women's reservation, delimitation, and the proposed increase in Lok Sabha seats. The Chief Minister emphasized the need for clarity and broad consultation, stating that these matters require careful deliberation to ensure national unity and fairness.
Distinct Issues, Not Interlinked
In his letter to the Prime Minister on Tuesday, Revanth Reddy highlighted that confusion is being created by projecting these three issues as interlinked, when they are, in fact, distinct. He stressed that each topic deserves separate consideration to avoid misunderstandings and ensure effective policy-making.
"Bharat's strength lies in its unity amidst diversity. I am hopeful that, as a country, our legislative platforms and democratic forces can arrive at a framework that is fair, balanced and reflective of the aspirations of all regions of our country," Revanth said in his communication.
Immediate Implementation of Women's Reservation
On the women's reservation bill, the Chief Minister reiterated that the Congress party fully supports its immediate implementation in the Lok Sabha with the current 543 seats, as well as in state assemblies. He described the political empowerment of women as not merely a legislative reform but a moral imperative of our polity.
"Political empowerment of women is not merely a legislative reform but a moral imperative of our polity," he asserted, underscoring the urgency of this measure.
Concerns Over Delimitation and Seat Increase
Regarding delimitation, Revanth Reddy noted that past exercises were conducted without altering the total number of seats, and a similar approach can be adopted now. However, he flagged the proposal to increase Lok Sabha seats to 850 on a pro-rata basis as the core concern.
"We totally support reservation of 33% seats for women, and will also support delimitation without increasing the number of seats. The proposal to increase in Lok Sabha seats on either population or pro-rata model is not acceptable to many states…," he stated, warning that it is "fraught with dangers for the country."
Risk to Southern States and Federal Balance
The Chief Minister cautioned that a pro-rata increase, without factoring in economic contribution and human development outcomes, would distort the federal balance and weaken fair regional representation. He pointed out that southern states such as Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and Puducherry, which have invested in population stabilisation and human development, now risk being structurally disadvantaged.
He warned that such a shift would erode their voice in Parliament while benefiting states with higher population growth, leading to an imbalance in political power.
Fiscal Imbalance and Political Injustice
Revanth Reddy also raised concerns over fiscal imbalance, stating that Telangana receives less than its contribution compared to states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. He cautioned that the proposed changes would add ‘political injustice' to existing financial and policy disparities.
Stressing that any unilateral move would trigger widespread resistance, he called for a just and sustainable solution. As an alternative, he suggested a hybrid model that balances representation and contribution, drawing on the Supreme Court's principle of balancing competing considerations.
Call for Consensus and Fair Framework
In conclusion, the Chief Minister emphasized the importance of building a consensus through democratic dialogue. He urged the Prime Minister to facilitate a platform where all political parties can discuss these issues openly and arrive at a framework that respects the diversity and aspirations of all regions in India.
This move by the Telangana Chief Minister highlights the growing concerns over constitutional reforms and their impact on federal structure, setting the stage for a crucial national debate.
