Concern is not number of LS seats, who benefits 'disproportionately': Siddaramaiah on delimitation
Bengaluru (PTI): Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his recent remarks on Lok Sabha seats, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday said the concern is not whether the number of seats are increased, but how the expansion is carried out and who benefits "disproportionately".
He alleged that having "failed" to win the trust of southern people, the Modi government is now attempting to weaken the region's voice through a "manipulative restructuring of representation."
PM Modi had on Thursday said that Lok Sabha seats would not be reduced in South Indian states that have successfully controlled population, and that the total number of seats will increase to benefit states across the country.
Addressing an NDA Assembly election rally at Thiruvalla in Kerala, Modi said, both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, which adjourned on Thursday, will reconvene on April 16 for three days to take up legislation, including increasing Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 816 to implement women's reservation.
In a post on 'X', Siddaramaiah said, "I welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi finally opening his mouth on the proposed delimitation exercise. This sudden concern for reassuring southern states appears less like statesmanship and more like election-driven messaging, timed conveniently with political calculations in states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu."
"Let us be clear, the issue has never been about whether the number of Lok Sabha seats of southern states increases. The concern is about how they increase - and who benefits disproportionately."
Noting that every state may see an increase, the rate and scale of increase clearly favour BJP-dominated states, the CM said, "Uttar Pradesh is expected to go from 80 to 120 seats (+40), Maharashtra from 48 to 72 (+24), Bihar from 40 to 60 (+20), Madhya Pradesh from 29 to 43–44 (+14–15), Rajasthan from 25 to 37–38 (+12–13), and Gujarat from 26 to 39 (+13)."
"In contrast, southern states see smaller gains. Karnataka rises from 28 to 42 (+14), Tamil Nadu from 39 to 58–59 (+20), Andhra Pradesh from 25 to 37–38 (+12–13), Telangana from 17 to 25–26 (+8–9), and Kerala from 20 to 30 (+10).
"The numbers are telling. Five southern states together gain barely 63–66 additional seats, while just these seven BJP-dominated states gain about 128–131 seats - nearly double."
He argued that after the expansion of the Lok Sabha to 816 seats, the collective share of southern states would remains around 24 per cent "unchanged and already modest".
Siddaramaiah claimed that states that performed better in population control and governance are being penalised, and Karnataka - a key driver of national growth - risks being deliberately sidelined.
"If our share does not improve while the numerical dominance of larger states grows, what exactly is Karnataka gaining from this exercise?"he asked.
"The result is a widening imbalance," he pointed out, adding that today, Uttar Pradesh has 52 more seats than Karnataka - this gap will increase to 78. Maharashtra’s lead over Karnataka will expand from 20 to 30 seats.
This is not just expansion; it is concentration of power, he said. "This is not cooperative federalism - this is another blatant assault on federalism, designed to concentrate power and silence states like Karnataka."
He allegd, "Having failed to win the trust of southern people, the Modi government is now attempting to weaken our voice through a manipulative restructuring of representation."
Such a structural change cannot be pushed without consultations or public debate, Siddaramaiah said adding that at a time of economic and global challenges, the union government is more focused on political arithmetic over national priorities.
"The people of Karnataka - and all who believe in federalism - deserve fairness, respect, and transparency. We will firmly oppose any attempt to weaken our voice," he said.
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TCS case: AIMIM chief Owaisi decries 'media trial' of Nida Khan; asks if possessing burqa is crime
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (PTI): All India Majlis E Ittehadul Muslimeen president Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday said it was wrong to associate his party to TCS case accused Nida Khan and asserted the latter will be proven innocent in court.
Khan, a key accused in the TCS sexual harassment-forced conversion case, was arrested from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Thursday by Nashik police, following which AIMIM corporator Matin Patel was booked for sheltering her while she was on the run.
The developments have evoked sharp reactions from ruling Mahayuti leaders, including ministers Sanjay Shirsat and Nitesh Rane, who have called for a deeper probe against the AIMIM in the case.
Addressing reporters after a meeting of his party in connection with the upcoming Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state, Owaisi said Nida Khan is being subjected to a "media trial".
"Nida Khan was transferred from her job before the FIR was registered. We all have seen the statement of TCS. It says she is not connected in any manner to the HR department. Nine FIRs have been registered so far and in one of them, Nida Khan has been named for allegedly hurting religious sentiments," he said.
Asserting that the complainant in the case is a "member of the ruling party", the Lok Sabha MP questioned whether possession of a burqa or a book on Prophet Mohammad was illegal, adding that it is available in every Muslim household.
Earlier, in Delhi, police dubbed some youth as terrorists because a book of (legendary poet) Mirza Ghalib was found in their home, he pointed out.
"This is a media trial and if the media acts like judge and jury, it is dangerous. It will not serve the purpose of justice. We have faith that the court will deliver justice and the girl (Nida Khan) will be proven innocent. This case will not stand in court," Owaisi emphasised.
"This is being done with an intention to harass educated persons from the Muslim community. The allegations are coming out of hatred. The judiciary will play its role. But connecting a party with this case is completely wrong," he further said.
On his party colleague and corporator Matin Patel being booked, Owaisi said the charges will be contested in court.
He claimed such an environment was created after the blasts in Malegaon and Mumbai, but no one went to the families of those incarcerated once the judgement (of acquittal) was delivered.
The allegations against his party in the case at least means "we are not the B team of the BJP", the AIMIM chief added.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Nashik police is probing nine cases of molestation and harassment at the IT major's Nashik unit.
It had arrested eight persons, including a female operations manager, by registering nine FIRs after allegations of exploitation, attempt of forceful conversion, hurting religious sentiments, molestation and mental harassment of female employees at the TCS unit came to light.
Nida Khan is accused of targeting employees in a WhatsApp group, pressuring them to pray and eat non-vegetarian food. According to the FIR, she also allegedly advised women employees to dress and behave in accordance with Islamic traditions.
TCS has clarified that it has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and coercion of any form for a long time, and the employees allegedly involved in sexual harassment at the Nashik office have been suspended.
