BRS leader Rama Rao proposes delimitation based on fiscal contribution and development

BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao made it clear that no reduction of seats in south India did not mean an increase in the north Indian seats. File
| Photo Credit: ANI

K.T. Rama Rao, the working president Bharat Rastra Samithi, made what he called a radical proposal of delimitation on the basis of fiscal contribution, development and progress.

Pointing out that population alone cannot be a criterion, he said that with South India accounting for 19% of India’s population but contributing to 36% of the GDP, the South could have 36% representation in Parliament.

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“That could be a radical solution,” he said, during his interaction with the media after his participation in the first joint action committee meeting on Fair Delimitation.

He also suggested that the Centre could go ahead and increase the number of Assembly seats in States where there was an increase in population. “Number of MLAs altered within a State does not tip the federal balance, but if you start tinkering with the number of MPs, it will disrupt the federal balance,” he said.

Mr. Rao said it would be a travesty of justice if those States that had done exceptionally well in political, economic and other administrative indicators such as education were penalised.

“A fair system should reward and encourage development. It should empower those who drive the growth and not silence them,” he said.

He also made it clear that no reduction of seats in south India did not mean increase in the north Indian seats.

“If there is a disproportionate increase in north Indian states, four of five north Indian States determine the future of the country, future of politics, policy, fiscal, devolution and future life of citizens of India. It is certainly not acceptable,” he said.

Mr. Rao said if India had to break its shackles and emerge as an economic, cultural and social superpower by 2047, a hundred years after independence, it should have stronger States. “Stronger the States, stronger the country. Cooperative federalism is the order of the day, not coercive federalism,” he said.