Tamil Nadu CM Urges Constitutional Amendment to Freeze Lok Sabha Strength

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocating for a constitutional amendment to permanently fix the number of Lok Sabha seats at 543. This proposal, detailed in a resolution adopted by the Tamil Nadu Assembly on August 12, 2026, also seeks to preserve the existing proportional distribution of seats among states and union territories, and maintain the current ratio of Lok Sabha to Rajya Sabha seats at 2.2:1.

The resolution was passed in the context of proposed constitutional changes concerning the delimitation of constituencies and the determination of seat numbers based on population. Mr. Vijay highlighted concerns that a delimitation exercise based on the post-1971 population could lead to a significant loss of parliamentary seats for Southern states. He pointed to the 1967 reduction of Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu as an example of potential injustice.

The Chief Minister argued that states which have successfully implemented population control measures, achieved economic growth, and advanced healthcare and public welfare schemes could face lasting disadvantages if seat allocation is solely based on current population figures. The Tamil Nadu Assembly's resolution also called for the implementation of 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha, based on the current strength of 543 seats, and subsequently in state assemblies.