Hyderabad: The BRS on Tuesday welcomed the long-pending delimitation process. However, it expressed concerns over the potential disadvantages for the southern states if it is carried out purely on a population basis. Addressing the media, BRS working president KT Rama Rao said delimitation should have been conducted in 2014, as per the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act. “Even though it has been delayed by over a decade, we welcome the initiation of the process now,” he said.KTR said the BRS supports delimitation, but only if it ensures fairness and does not undermine the voice of the southern states. “Delimitation must be carried out in a manner that protects the interests of South India and ensures balanced representation,” he said. However, he cautioned that if delimitation is based solely on a population basis, it would severely disadvantage the southern states. “Our consistent stand, then and now, is that delimitation should not be based purely on population. Instead, it should follow the same proportional framework adopted earlier, based on the 1971 Census,” he said.KTR noted that the southern states collectively account for around 24% of representation in Parliament and stressed that this share must not be reduced. “States that have effectively implemented population control measures should not be penalised for their success,” he added.Welcoming the proposal to increase assembly seats in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, KTR said greater representation would bring governance closer to the people. He pointed out stark disparities in constituency sizes, noting that while constituencies such as Aswaraopet have around 1.3 lakh voters, areas like Serilingampally have nearly 9 lakh voters. “Such vast disparities are not healthy for a functioning democracy,” he added.
