A day after the Centre’s delimitation-linked Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill failed in Parliament, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi delivered a strong message in Tamil Nadu, asserting that any attempt to weaken the state’s voice in the Union would be resisted by the INDIA alliance.
The proposed legislation, which required a two-thirds majority, fell short despite 298 MPs voting in favour and 230 against. Following its defeat, two related bills on delimitation and increasing Lok Sabha seats were not taken up for voting, with the Centre calling them intrinsically linked to the women’s reservation framework.
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Addressing a rally in Ponneri as part of his campaign for the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, Gandhi framed the political contest as a fight to protect federalism, social justice, and Tamil identity. He accused the BJP and RSS of attempting to undermine regional voices and impose a centralised vision of governance.
Referring to the defeated bill, Gandhi alleged it was a backdoor effort to alter the federal balance and reduce the representation of southern and smaller states. He criticised what he described as attempts to impose “one nation, one language,” warning that such ideas threaten India’s constitutional framework.
Gandhi also targeted the AIADMK, claiming it had lost its autonomy and was being controlled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
Highlighting welfare, he announced six guarantees, including monthly financial support for women, students, and vulnerable groups, along with job creation and benefits for first-time women property owners.
Concluding, Gandhi struck a defiant tone, saying no force could weaken Tamil Nadu’s identity or language, urging voters to defend the state’s rights in the upcoming elections.
