Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], March 22 (ANI): The first meeting of the Joint Action Committee is underway in Chennai. Addressing the leaders present in the meeting, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin stated that this protest was not against delimitation but to urge for 'fair delimitation'.

MK Stalin said, 'Our country has multiple cultures. As per constituency delimitation on population basis our states will get affected since we have taken action to control population, that's why we are in situation to oppose it and we may get decrease our representatives in parliament. As per current population, constituency Delimitation should not happen is what we all should be firm to oppose it.... This protest is not against delimitation but to urge for fair Delimitation.'

In the meeting, Tamil Nadu Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin stated that the states that have participated in the meeting have made significant efforts to control and manage the population growth but instead of being rewarded for this achievement, they are now at risk of losing their political representation.

'...For decades, states present here have made significant efforts to control and manage the population growth. We introduced policies, raised awareness and achieved what the nation aimed for - stable population growth. While some other states continue to experience rapid population growth, we acted responsibly. As a result, we reached the population replacement rate much earlier than many other states. But instead of being rewarded for this achievement, we are now at the risk of losing our political representation,' Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister said.

The Chief Ministers and representatives from various states are the meeting. However, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), which had backed the DMK on its stand on delimitation, did not send any of its representatives or leaders.

Ahead of the meeting, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin welcomed Telangana CM Revanth Reddy and Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar to the meeting on delimitation.

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin felicitated CMs of states as well as leaders from various parties who are attending the meeting on delimitation.

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin has called for a joint effort from various political parties to raise their voices against delimitation, calling for a Joint Action Committee meeting to be held in Chennai, inviting representatives from various political parties to join against the 'blatant assault on federalism.'

Chief Minister Stalin had written to the Chief Ministers of seven states, both from National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ruling states and otherwise, to join him in the 'fight against this unfair exercise.'

Earlier today, ahead of the first meeting of the Joint Action Committee on the issue of delimitation, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin stated that today will be remembered as a pivotal moment in Indian history when the states united to safeguard the nation's federal structure by ensuring 'fair delimitation'.

Taking to a social media post on X, Stalin wrote, 'Today will be etched in history as the day when states that have contributed to our nation's development came together to safeguard its federal structure by ensuring #FairDelimitation. I warmly welcome all Chief Ministers and political leaders to this meeting, united in our commitment to #FairDelimitation.'

The MK Stalin-led Tamil Nadu government has locked horns with the Central government over the three-language formula proposed in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the delimitation exercise. (ANI)