New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has taken issue with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s defence of the Centre’s reported delimitation formula, using a “driver’s salary” analogy to explain why many southern states continue to oppose the proposal.
The debate began after Naidu suggested that the Centre was considering increasing Lok Sabha seats by around 50% across all states, arguing that such a move would address concerns about fairness in representation. According to him, every state would benefit from the expansion, making fears of political disadvantage largely misplaced.
Tharoor, however, said the issue is not about percentages but about absolute numbers. In a post on X, he compared the situation to a person earning ₹2 lakh a month and a driver earning ₹20,000. If both receive a 50% salary hike, the increase may be equal in percentage terms, but the gap between them becomes even larger.
Applying the analogy to delimitation, Tharoor argued that states with larger populations, such as Uttar Pradesh, would gain significantly more seats than smaller southern states even under a uniform increase formula. As a result, their political influence in Parliament would continue to grow relative to states that have successfully controlled population growth over the decades.
The Congress leader said this is precisely why southern states remain concerned about the proposed exercise. Leaders from the region have repeatedly argued that states should not be penalised for implementing effective population control measures and improving social indicators.
Naidu, a key NDA ally, has maintained that the proposed seat expansion would ensure fairness and has accused critics of creating unnecessary alarm before the Centre unveils its final plan. He has also indicated that the government could bring back a Delimitation Bill with provisions aimed at addressing these concerns.
The delimitation issue has emerged as one of the most politically sensitive debates in recent years, with questions being raised over the future balance of power between northern and southern states. While supporters say parliamentary representation must reflect current population figures, opponents fear the exercise could reduce the relative voice of states that have witnessed slower population growth.
With no final decision announced yet, Tharoor’s remarks have added fresh momentum to a debate that is likely to remain at the centre of national politics in the months ahead.
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