Chennai

N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday defended the proposed delimitation exercise, calling it “inevitable” and asserting that no state would face injustice under the plan. He also criticised the Indian National Congress and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam for opposing it.

Addressing a press conference in Chennai on the final day of campaigning, Naidu questioned claims by Rahul Gandhi and M K Stalin that the opposition had successfully blocked the delimitation-linked proposal.

Naidu said both parties needed to explain what kind of victory it was, alleging that by resisting the measure they had betrayed women awaiting political reservation. His remarks came after the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill failed to secure the required two-thirds majority in Parliament, stalling the proposed reforms.

Referring to his long political career, Naidu said he had witnessed the journey of the Women’s Reservation Bill since 1996 and argued that it had faced repeated delays. He said that when a concrete framework had finally been introduced, it was now being opposed.

He maintained that the proposed formula was fair, stating that all states would receive a 50 per cent increase in seats and that 33 per cent of those seats would be reserved for women. According to him, fears that southern states would lose political influence were unfounded.

Naidu also said that if earlier census trends had been followed strictly, southern states might have lost seats in the past, but the present model had safeguards to ensure balance and equity.

Also present at the event were Piyush Goyal and Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu. Naidu used the occasion to highlight the cultural and economic links between Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, describing Tamil Nadu as the cradle of Dravidian culture.

He praised Narendra Modi for economic reforms and promoting competitive federalism, saying India was among the world’s fastest-growing economies and that states should align with the vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047”.

Campaigning for the National Democratic Alliance in Tamil Nadu, Naidu said a double-engine government would speed up development. He also praised Edappadi K Palaniswami, calling him a focused and capable leader.

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With Tamil Nadu set to vote on April 23 and counting scheduled for May 4, Naidu urged voters to support leadership that could deliver growth, infrastructure and opportunity.