Chennai: Chief minister C Joseph Vijay on Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the Union govt to permanently freeze the strength of the Lok Sabha at 543 and protect the existing level of parliamentary representation of the states.“The existing number of Lok Sabha seats allocated to the states should be made permanent at the current level. Current distribution of seats among the States must be maintained. I kindly request you to consider the resolution passed by the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and bring in necessary Constitutional amendments in this regard,” Vijay said in the letter.The resolution in the state assembly was backed by DMK and coalition partners of TVK, while AIADMK, PMK, DMDK and BJP opposed it. The resolution also wanted the Union govt to implement 33% reservation for women without increasing the number of seats from the present level.“I wish to bring to your kind attention the deliberations of the Tamil Nadu assembly on the issue of proposed delimitation of parliamentary and state assembly constituencies and the implementation of 33% reservation for women,” Vijay said.He said the delimitation exercise based on population will result in a reduction in the number of seats to the southern states. “Any delimitation based on post-1971 population that alters the existing strength would cause lasting injustice to the southern states which have efficiently implemented the population control programmes, achieved good economic growth, carried out proper healthcare and public welfare schemes,” Vijay said.
