Tackling delimitation by reversing population control

Recently, the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, N. Chandrababu Naidu and M.K. Stalin, respectively, were quite peeved about the question of the proposed delimitation exercise and the possibility, subsequently, of the loss of parliamentary seats. This is very likely as the two States, along with the other southern States, are ahead of the rest of India in terms of fertility transition — implying a reduced share of the population when compared with the northern region. What is galling to people in general, and not necessarily just the politicians in south India, is that success in “family planning” will surely reduce the number of seats of the less populated States in Parliament.

“The state government [Andhra Pradesh] is thinking of enacting a law that would make only those with more than two children eligible to contest local body elections,” Mr. Naidu had said. Earlier, Andhra Pradesh had passed a piece of legislation barring people with more than two children from contesting local polls. Mr. Naidu said, “We have repealed that law, and we are now considering reversing it…. Government may provide more benefits to families with more children.”