During a rally in Ponneri, Tiruvallur district, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, claimed that a recent parliamentary bill related to delimitation is designed to decrease Tamil Nadu’s seats in Parliament. He described this as part of a larger plan to undermine southern and smaller states.
Gandhi expressed a strong personal connection to Tamil Nadu, despite not being from the state, and accused the RSS and BJP of undermining its identity, language, and culture. He questioned their attempts to challenge Tamil traditions.
Regarding the bill introduced in Parliament, Gandhi asserted it was presented as a women’s reservation measure, which had already been approved in 2023, but concealed an intent to implement delimitation. He stated that opposition forces successfully blocked the bill.
Gandhi emphasized that India functions as a union of states, where each should have equal representation and the freedom to preserve its language and customs. He criticized the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘one nation, one leader, one language, one people’ as an assault on the Constitution.
Promoting the INDIA alliance before the elections, Gandhi vowed to oppose any efforts by the BJP and RSS to impose control from Delhi. He affirmed that Tamil Nadu should determine its own path, with the alliance supporting the protection of local language, culture, and rights.
The Tamil Nadu Assembly elections are set for a single phase on April 23, with results to be announced on May 4. The primary competition involves the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance against the AIADMK-led National Democratic Alliance, which includes the BJP and Pattali Makkal Katchi. The TVK, led by actor-turned-politician Vijay, aims to create a three-cornered race.
(This report is based on an ANI news service feed. ThePrint is not responsible for its content.)
