Census 2027 Delimitation Sparks Political War In Tamil Nadu: Stalin Accuses BJP Of Silencing South, AIADMK Hits Back

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led Union Government, accusing it of executing a "sinister design" through the upcoming 2027 national Census and the looming delimitation exercise, which he claimed would diminish the parliamentary voice of progressive southern states.

In a strongly worded statement, Stalin said the move to base the next delimitation exercise on the 2027 Census—replacing the 1971 data—was a calculated effort to restructure parliamentary representation in a manner that benefits states which ignored population control measures. “Developed states, especially in the non-Hindi-speaking South, which followed population control norms, will now be punished,” he said. “Meanwhile, states that disregarded population control for decades are set to gain more seats in Parliament. This unfair shift skews the federal balance and rewards irresponsibility.”

The Chief Minister reiterated that he had earlier flagged this threat and, now with senior Congress leader and former Union Minister P. Chidambaram also raising alarms over the implications of the Census-delimitation link, “the time has come not just to be vigilant but to craft counter-strategies to safeguard the South’s voice.”

According to him, the Centre’s assurance that the concerns of affected states will be addressed was insufficient. “These are vague remarks,” Stalin said, demanding instead a clear parliamentary commitment backed by a constitutional amendment. Drawing a sharp parallel, he cited the case of Jammu and Kashmir where, despite promises of restoring statehood after Article 370 was abrogated, the region continues to remain a Union Territory. “This is the track record of the BJP we are dealing with,” he warned.

The DMK chief accused the BJP of trying to reduce the democratic power of peninsular India “to irrelevance” through delimitation based on future Census data. “If the Union Government proceeds with delimitation based on the 2027 Census, the democratic power of peninsular India will be reduced to irrelevance,” he cautioned.

In a pointed political jab, Stalin also lashed out at the AIADMK, accusing it of colluding with the BJP. “Even if betrayers like the ADMK choose to kneel before the BJP for their political survival, the people of Tamil Nadu led by the DMK will never allow our state to be punished for its progress.”

Vowing resistance, Stalin concluded with a rallying call: “Tamil Nadu will fight! Tamil Nadu will win!”

However, AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami accused Stalin of raising the delimitation issue to divert attention from misgovernance.

"The puppet CM speaks of 'fair delimitation' while presiding over the most unfair, corrupt, and dynastic regime Tamil Nadu has ever seen. First, delimit the TASMAC loot. Delimit the drug mafia. Delimit illicit liquor. Delimit rowdyism. Delimit the corruption of your ministers. And most importantly, delimit your family's arrogance and stranglehold over Tamil Nadu," he said.

"I vow before every Tamilian: We will never allow our representation to be reduced or our voice to be silenced. In 2027, or whenever delimitation may come, #AIADMK — back in power — will fiercely defend Tamil Nadu’s rightful voice and future," he tweeted.