The delimitation debate has resurfaced in India, particularly in Tamil Nadu. Chief Minister M K Stalin has opposed the population-based delimitation exercise. His concerns centre on the potential loss of Lok Sabha seats for southern states. The current proposal suggests using the 1971 Census for future seat allocations. This stance echoes historical sentiments regarding representation based on population growth and family planning policies.
About Delimitation
Delimitation is the process of redrawing electoral boundaries. It is essential for ensuring fair representation in legislative bodies. India has conducted delimitation exercises four times since independence. The last change occurred in 1973 when the maximum number of Lok Sabha seats was raised to 545.
Historical Context of Delimitation in India
The first delimitation in 1952 established a cap of 500 Lok Sabha seats. In 1963, this was increased to 525 to accommodate population growth. The 1973 exercise was as it involved not only boundary changes but also an increase in the number of seats. However, the 2002 exercise only involved redrawing constituency boundaries without altering seat numbers.
Arguments for Retaining 1971 Census
Stalin argues that using the 1971 Census as a basis for delimitation will protect Tamil Nadu’s representation. He points out that the state has already lost seats in previous delimitation processes. Historical debates reveal that concerns about population control and representation have long influenced delimitation discussions.
Parliamentary Debates on Delimitation
Parliamentary debates on delimitation have often been contentious. In 1972, MPs raised concerns about the arbitrary nature of proposed seat increases. Some argued that increasing seats based on population growth could lead to an unmanageable number of representatives. Others advocated for maintaining a stable number of seats to ensure effective governance.
Impact of Family Planning Policies
Family planning policies have influenced delimitation discussions. Critics argue that states implementing these policies may be penalised by losing representation. This concern was echoed during the 1973 debates when MPs questioned the fairness of rewarding states that did not control their populations.
Current Implications of Delimitation
As of 2024, each Lok Sabha seat has an average of 17.84 lakh electors. This is increase from the 5.93 lakh voters per seat in 1977. The growing electorate raises questions about the effectiveness of representation and the need for further delimitation.
Future of Delimitation in India
The future of delimitation remains uncertain, particularly with the 2026 deadline for the next Census. The ongoing debate marks the tension between population growth and equitable representation. The decisions made in the coming years will shape the political landscape of India.
Questions for UPSC:
- Critically examine the implications of population growth on electoral representation in India.
- Discuss the historical significance of the 1973 delimitation exercise in shaping India’s current electoral landscape.
- Explain the role of family planning policies in influencing political representation in state of Indias.
- With suitable examples, discuss the challenges posed by increasing electorates on parliamentary effectiveness in India.
Answer Hints:
1. Critically examine the implications of population growth on electoral representation in India.
- Population growth leads to larger electorates, complicating representation.
- Increased number of voters per constituency can dilute individual MP-voter relationships.
- Disparities in population growth across states can result in unequal representation.
- Delimitation exercises aim to address these imbalances but can face political resistance.
- Historical context shows that population-based reallocations have previously led to contentious debates.
2. Discuss the historical significance of the 1973 delimitation exercise in shaping India’s current electoral landscape.
- The 1973 exercise raised the Lok Sabha seats to 545, impacting representation .
- It included both boundary changes and seat increases, unlike the 2002 exercise.
- The debates surrounding it brought into light concerns over population control and representation fairness.
- Stalin’s current arguments echo sentiments from that period, emphasizing the need for stable representation.
- This exercise set a precedent for future delimitation discussions and policies in India.
3. Explain the role of family planning policies in influencing political representation in the state of India.
- Family planning policies aim to control population growth, impacting electoral representation.
- States that successfully implement these policies may face reduced representation due to slower population growth.
- The 1973 debates showcased concerns about penalizing states for adhering to family planning.
- Critics argue that this creates a disincentive for states to promote family planning initiatives.
- The ongoing delimitation discussions continue to reflect these tensions around representation and policy outcomes.
4. With suitable examples, discuss the challenges posed by increasing electorates on parliamentary effectiveness in India.
- As electorates grow, MPs struggle to maintain personal connections with constituents.
- For example, the average electorate per Lok Sabha seat increased from 5.93 lakh in 1977 to 17.84 lakh in 2024.
- This growth can lead to reduced accountability and responsiveness from elected representatives.
- Challenges include managing larger constituencies, leading to potential disengagement from the political process.
- Debates around delimitation reflect concerns over the effectiveness of governance amid growing electorates.
