Madras assembly elections and delimitation dispute, Chief Minister MK Stalin sounded the bugle against the Center

News India Live, Digital Desk: Amidst the excitement of Assembly elections 2026 in Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister and DMK (DMK) chief MK Stalin have announced the biggest agitation till date against the Central Government. After holding an emergency meeting with the party’s district secretaries and MPs on Wednesday, Stalin termed the Delimitation Amendment Bill as a “black law” and called for ‘black flag’ protests across the state on April 16. The Chief Minister has appealed to the eight crore people of Tamil Nadu to raise their voice against this historical injustice by hoisting black flags at their homes and public places. “Why punish the southern states?”: Stalin’s direct question MK Stalin released a video message accusing the BJP government at the Center of conspiring against the South Indian states. He asked, “Are Tamil Nadu and other southern states being punished for contributing to India’s progress and controlling population?” Stalin argues that if delimitation is done only on the basis of population, the seats of the North Indian states will increase significantly, while the representation of the Southern states will be reduced, rendering them “second-class citizens” in the Parliament. Proposal to increase Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 850 According to sources, the central government is planning to increase the number of Lok Sabha seats from the current 543 to 850. It is proposed to speed up the delimitation process to implement the Women’s Reservation Act (Nari Shakti Vandan Act, 2023). Opposition parties allege that the BJP is in a hurry to pass this “dangerous amendment” without any all-party discussion by calling a special session in the midst of the elections. Political tension increased in the electoral environment. Assembly elections are to be held in Tamil Nadu on 23 April 2026. In such a situation, by raising the issue of delimitation just before the elections, Stalin has brought the identity and linguistic rights of the state to the center stage. He warned that if the Center did not withdraw this bill, it would have to face serious consequences. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has also supported Stalin on this issue and called upon the southern states to unite. Preparations for ‘Black Day’ on April 16 DMK has announced that when the special session of Parliament begins on April 16, every family in Tamil Nadu will register their protest by putting up black flags on the streets and at their homes. Stalin said that this protest is not of just one political party, but of every self-respecting Tamil. The police and administration have made tight security arrangements in view of the statewide protests.