Amit Shah chairs southern CMs conclave; DKS flags delimitation, Vijay-Satheesan hold key interaction

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday chaired the 31st session of the Southern Zonal Council at Kovalam, where Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar called on the Centre to retain the 1971 Census as the basis for delimitation and maintain the.

Key points

• The Southern Zonal Council comprises Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana, besides the Union Territories of Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
• "Glad to interact with Keralam CM, Telangana DCM, Telangana Agriculture Minister Thummala Nageswara Rao along with our Home Minister Priyank Kharge ahead of the Council meeting."
• He pressed the Council to adopt a resolution seeking to preserve the 1971 population basis and freeze the number of Lok Sabha seats at 543 for 25 years.
• On the sidelines of the Southern Zonal Council session in Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram), Chennai, had a key interaction with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.
• Let me assure you, every drop of water from the Mekedatu project will support farmers in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

Shivakumar additionally called on women's reservation to be accommodated within the existing 543 seats, arguing that southern states should not be penalised for successfully controlling their population.

"The southern states' success in controlling its population must not become a reason for reducing its political voice."

"We welcome the assurance that no southern state will lose seats. But representation is not only regarding numbers. It is regarding weight, and concerning voice, " he noted.

Southern states had responded to the country's call for population stabilisation with discipline and success, and should not be penalised for that achievement during delimitation, he remarked.

"I am confident that all the chief ministers here will backing me in what I say. Let the 1971 basis be honoured, and let the strength of our voice be protected, " he continued.

Shivakumar additionally raised the Mekedatu project and the long-standing Cauvery water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, saying the proposed balancing reservoir would benefit farmers in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

"While walking to the session, senior leader and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu ji informed me that we need to solve the Cauvery water matter between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Let me assure you, every drop of water from the Mekedatu project will support farmers in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Support us assist you, " he noted.

Congress' 'evolving' stand on delimitation issue'Will not allow political marginalisation of South': DK Shivakumar on proposed Delimitation bill Tamil Nadu has resisted the Mekedatu project, maintaining that the proposed reservoir throughout the Cauvery would harm its interests.

Meanwhile, the Southern Zonal Council comprises Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana, besides the Union Territories of Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay. This person was seated next to Shivakumar at the session, spoke with his Karnataka counterpart against the backdrop of the Cauvery and Mekedatu problems. Vijay additionally felicitated Shah on the occasion.

Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan additionally interacted with Vijay on the sidelines of the gathering.

"On the sidelines of the Southern Zonal Council session in Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram), Chennai, had a key interaction with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay. P K Kunhalikutty (Minister for Industries and Information Technology of Keralam) was additionally present."

Shivakumar remarked the gathering provided an opportunity for discussions among chief ministers, ministers and senior authorities on matters concerning the progress and development of the southern region.

"Exchanged views on our shared priorities and the issues that are important to the progress and development of our region."

In practice, the session is focusing on key inter-state and national matters concerning the southern states and Union Territories.

For now, amit Shah chairs southern CMs conclave; DKS flags delimitation, Vijay remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.