New Delhi/Hyderabad, April 19, 2026: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday praised Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy for highlighting flaws in the BJP-led Centre’s approach to the delimitation of constituencies and for presenting constructive alternative suggestions on the sensitive issue.
Priyanka Gandhi, who met the Telangana CM in Delhi, lauded his efforts in exposing shortcomings in the proposed constituency reorganisation and in building unity among southern states to safeguard their political interests. She appreciated Revanth Reddy’s proactive role in raising concerns that a purely population-based delimitation could undermine the representation of southern and smaller states while disturbing the federal balance.
The development comes amid growing opposition from southern states to the Centre’s proposed delimitation exercise, which is expected to redraw Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies based on the latest census data. Critics, including Revanth Reddy, argue that such a move—linked in public discourse with the women’s reservation bill—could disproportionately benefit northern states with higher populations, potentially reducing the relative political influence of the south.
# Revanth Reddy’s Stand on Delimitation
Revanth Reddy has been vocal on the issue. He has written an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the separation of women’s reservation from delimitation, called for an all-party meeting to build national consensus, and proposed a “hybrid model” that factors in not just population but also economic indicators such as Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) to ensure fairness.
At the recent Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, the Chief Minister flagged apprehensions that southern states, which have performed well in population control and economic development, could lose political relevance under a purely demographic approach. He described the exercise as a “regional issue” rather than a partisan one and warned of “serious damage” to the federal structure if not handled with care.
Priyanka Gandhi echoed these sentiments, stating that the Congress cannot trust the BJP on delimitation as it may be pursued for partisan benefit. She credited Revanth Reddy’s initiatives in uniting southern leaders and presenting alternatives that protect states’ long-term interests.
# BJP’s Counter
The BJP has pushed back strongly against Revanth Reddy’s position. Party leaders in Telangana and at the national level have rejected the hybrid GSDP-based model as “illogical,” “unscientific,” and lacking constitutional basis. They argue that delimitation must follow constitutional norms based on population to ensure “one person, one vote” equality and have accused the Congress of attempting to create a North-South divide for political gains. BJP leaders also maintain that the delimitation process is distinct from the women’s reservation issue and that southern states would actually see an increase in seats.
# Background on the Delimitation Debate
Delimitation exercises in India have historically been frozen to avoid penalising states successful in family planning. The last major exercise was based on the 2001 Census, with the next one expected post the upcoming census. Southern states, including Telangana, have consistently argued that rewarding population control through fair representation is essential for cooperative federalism.
Revanth Reddy has also met other southern Chief Ministers and opposition leaders to build a common front on the matter.
In his interaction with Priyanka Gandhi, the Telangana CM reportedly reciprocated by appreciating her role in ensuring opposition unity on the issue.
The row is likely to intensify in the coming weeks as Parliament and state political circles debate the timing, methodology, and broader implications of delimitation for India’s federal democracy.
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