DMK sets conditions for supporting delimitation Bill

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has formally laid down its conditions for supporting the Centre's delimitation Bill, a move that could reshape the ongoing parliamentary arithmetic. The party's stance comes amid a broader standoff that has stalled legislative business, with the government now scrambling to build consensus.

Sources familiar with the matter said the DMK's conditions are centred on protecting the political representation of southern states, which fear losing seats in the Lok Sabha to their northern counterparts after the delimitation exercise. The party has repeatedly argued that any redrawing of constituencies must not penalise states that have successfully implemented family planning programmes.

Rijiju reaches out to Gandhi

In a parallel effort to break the logjam, Union minister Kiren Rijiju met Rahul Gandhi on Thursday, with sources describing the talks as an attempt to find common ground on both the delimitation Bill and the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, or FCRA. The meeting, which lasted about an hour, was described by those present as "cordial but inconclusive".

Rijiju's outreach is significant because it marks one of the first direct engagements between the government and the Congress leadership on these contentious issues. The minister's appeal to Rahul Gandhi was reportedly framed around the need to keep Parliament functional, with both sides acknowledging that the current deadlock serves no one's interest.

Government's broader strategy

The Centre's approach appears to be multi-pronged. Beyond the DMK and Congress, the government has also reached out to the Gandhi family on the women's reservation bill, a long-pending legislation that could provide a face-saving compromise. By linking the two issues, the government seems to be offering the Opposition a package deal rather than a piecemeal resolution.

However, political observers note that the DMK's conditions could prove to be a sticking point. The party, which is a key ally of the INDIA bloc, has insisted that any delimitation exercise must be accompanied by a guarantee that southern states' representation will not be diluted. Whether the Centre is willing to accept such a condition remains unclear.

Gen Z stir and the government's tone

Some analysts have wondered whether the recent Gen Z-led protests have softened the government's stance. The demonstrations, which have drawn attention to issues of democratic space and civil liberties, may have prompted the ruling dispensation to adopt a more conciliatory tone in its dealings with the Opposition.

Rijiju's appeal to Rahul Gandhi, while framed around specific legislative issues, also carried a broader message about the need for dialogue. "We are not enemies," the minister is said to have told the Congress leader, signalling a possible shift in the government's approach to parliamentary politics.

What lies ahead

The coming days will be crucial as both sides weigh their options. The DMK's conditions, the Congress's demands on FCRA, and the government's push for the women's reservation bill are likely to be negotiated together. Whether a breakthrough can be achieved before the next session remains uncertain, but the fact that talks have begun is itself a development.

For now, all eyes are on the next round of discussions between the government and the Opposition. A failure to reach an agreement could see Parliament remain paralysed, while a successful negotiation could unlock several pending pieces of legislation. The ball, as they say, is in the Centre's court.