Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M Ok Stalin has urged the individuals of his state to have extra kids in view of the population-based delimitation course of which, he stated, would convey down the state’s illustration in Parliament. Comparable considerations have been expressed by Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, with the South fearing that its success in checking inhabitants development as in comparison with the North could put it at a political drawback on the nationwide airplane. The Urdu dailies tracked this rising row over the looming delimitation train. Over the week in addition they saved their give attention to disputes over the language coverage that once more flared up in some states.
Highlighting West Bengal CM and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chairperson Mamata Banerjee’s tackle to a conclave of her celebration’s leaders and employees, the Kolkata-based Akhbar-e-Mashriq, in its March 1 editorial, says that Mamata, who has been in energy for 3 phrases since 2011, set the tone for the 2026 Meeting polls by tearing into the Opposition BJP and Election Fee (EC). Whereas outlining her recreation plan for the polls, Mamata set the TMC rank and file a goal of 215 seats — yet one more than the TMC’s 2021 tally — and introduced that there will likely be “Khela Hobe (recreation will likely be performed)” once more, it says. “The CM slammed the BJP for its alleged bid to divide the individuals on communal strains. She castigated the EC whereas alleging how the BJP was manipulating the voter lists in collusion with the ballot physique.”
The every day notes that Mamata attributed the BJP’s victory in Maharashtra and Delhi to alleged irregularities in electoral rolls, claiming that they have been now gunning for Bengal. She additionally waved a listing with names of alleged faux voters, claiming that “it had the names of individuals from Haryana and Gujarat with these of Bengal residents, and with the identical EPIC numbers”. She additionally focused new Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that “the BJP was attempting to affect the EC by packing it with its individuals”, the editorial says. She even warned that if obligatory motion was not taken to right the electoral rolls, her celebration would launch a sit-in agitation in entrance of the EC’s workplace.
“In a bid to galvanise her celebration members, Mamata recalled that within the 2021 Meeting polls, BJP leaders claimed ‘200 paar’ however have been routed. Within the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, they claimed ‘400 paar’ however couldn’t get even a easy majority,” the every day writes. It provides that specializing in the electoral rolls, Mamata additional requested TMC members to confirm the identical on the sales space degree throughout the state. She introduced a committee comprising senior TMC leaders together with Abhishek Banerjee, Subrata Bakshi, Derek O’Brien and Sudip Bandyopadhyay to supervise this whole train. “Mamata’s allegations appeared to have prompted the EC to swing into motion. The ballot physique has held conferences and mentioned measures to plug any loopholes within the conduct of polls, particularly the problem of EPIC playing cards with the identical numbers in numerous states,” says the every day.
SIASAT
Referring to disquiet within the Janata Dal (United) over celebration president and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar’s future prospects, with the state Meeting polls barely eight months away, the Hyderabad-based Siasat, in its March 3 chief, writes that regardless of having been a previous grasp at retaining the CM chair whatever the coalition on the helm within the final 20 years, Nitish was now more and more discovering the going powerful. “Nitish has been recognized for repeatedly switching loyalties between the BJP-led NDA and the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan. The BJP is nevertheless asserting itself extra stridently now, signalling that because the senior accomplice it ought to have the higher hand in deciding key issues regarding the ruling alliance,” the editorial says. “Whereas Nitish has at all times managed to maintain his grip on the CM’s place, the BJP has now stepped as much as rein him in.”
The every day says the BJP has acquired a status for dominating its allies. “There have been circumstances the place the BJP has focused its companions after becoming a member of arms with them to type a coalition authorities. In Maharashtra, the BJP made Eknath Shinde the CM after he break up the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, however following their win within the current Meeting polls he was reduce to measurement and compelled to play second fiddle to BJP CM Devendra Fadnavis,” it says.
Holding that the JD(U) chief is in a Catch-22 state of affairs, the editorial states, “Sticking to the NDA may very well be Nitish’s compulsion as he doesn’t need to take any dangers now. On the similar time, he additionally appears to be fearful over the BJP’s strikes.” What has fuelled the JD(U)’s apprehension is its notion that the BJP was selling LJP chief Chirag Paswan to checkmate Nitish. “With the RJD additionally cranking up its ballot equipment, there could also be chance of a political realignment within the state within the run-up to the polls,” the edit says. “Bihar’s political state of affairs is getting extra attention-grabbing by the day. Nitish is an astute chief recognized for his formidable survival expertise. All eyes will likely be on his play within the coming days.”
SALAR
Story continues beneath this advert
Flagging the battle over delimitation, the Bengaluru-based Salar, in its February 28 editorial, says that Tamil Nadu CM M Ok Stalin’s transfer to convene an all-part assembly on March 5 on delimitation is a pointer that it will not be straightforward to place this concern on the again burner any longer. “By declaring that delimitation is hanging over the southern states like a sword, Stalin has sought to champion the considerations and rights of all southern states,” it says, noting that delimitation is a constitutional mandate, which is meant to be carried out after each Census to readjust the variety of seats of the Lok Sabha and Assemblies and their boundaries on the idea of the newest inhabitants figures. The edit factors out that delimitation was deferred for 25 years twice by means of constitutional amendments — first in 1976, after which in 2001 till 2026 — freezing the variety of seats within the legislatures based mostly on the 1971 inhabitants.
“Though the BJP-led Central authorities has not introduced any schedule for delimitation, it will observe the much-delayed Census which is anticipated to be carried out subsequent yr. Since delimitation is finished on the idea of inhabitants, southern states concern that their illustration within the Lok Sabha would come down on account of their profitable implementation of inhabitants management measures,” the every day says. “The South feels that this could result in the decline of its affect and heft in nationwide politics as in comparison with the North.”
The edit states that though Union Dwelling Minister Amit Shah has assured that there could be no “injustice” to the South in relation to redrawing the parliamentary constituencies, the apprehensions among the many southern states couldn’t be dismissed as “unfounded”. Stalin has claimed that Tamil Nadu could lose eight seats as a consequence of delimitation, it says. “That is to be seen how the Centre resolves the delimitation tangle. However the southern states should not be penalised for performing effectively on the event entrance whereas maintaining their demographic charges in verify. The share of southern states in giving contributions as taxes to the Centre can also be greater than their northern counterparts.”
