Women Bill BJP’s delimitation plot to disturb federal balance: Rahul

Addressing a public meeting in Ponneri, around 120 km from Chennai, Gandhi said the constitutional amendment that was defeated in the Lok Sabha had implications far beyond women’s representation.

He asserted that the proposal was tied to a recalibration of parliamentary seats among states, which could reduce the political weight of southern, northeastern and smaller states in the Union.

Gandhi said the Opposition had come together to block the move, describing it as an attempt to “defend the idea of India” as a union of states.

Referring to the Constitution, he noted that India was defined as a union where every state has a voice and retains the freedom to preserve its language, culture and traditions. He maintained that any attempt to impose uniformity in governance or identity would run contrary to this foundational principle.

Gandhi alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were seeking to use delimitation to alter seat allocation across states, thereby reshaping political power. He claimed that such an exercise would disproportionately affect states like Tamil Nadu, as well as those in the northeast, and also weaken smaller states in the process.

He further alleged that similar changes to the electoral framework had already been carried out in Assam and Jammu and Kashmir, and indicated that a nationwide exercise along the same lines was being considered. Delimitation, he said, was being deployed as a political instrument rather than a neutral constitutional mechanism.

Linking the issue directly to Tamil Nadu, Gandhi said the upcoming Assembly election was not merely a contest for power, but one centred on protecting the state’s identity, language and historical legacy. He alleged that the BJP and the RSS were attempting to interfere with these aspects and cautioned that the political battle in the state would determine whether such efforts succeeded.

He said slogans promoting a single national identity, language or leadership went against the constitutional vision and risked eroding India’s diversity. According to him, Tamil Nadu’s linguistic and cultural heritage represented centuries of lived experience that could not be replaced or diluted.

Gandhi also accused the Centre of attempting to control Tamil Nadu’s political direction from Delhi. He alleged that efforts were being made to install a compliant leadership in the state, and criticised the BJP’s engagement with the AIADMK. He said that the party had been reduced in influence under the central pressure.

Invoking the legacy of Periyar EV Ramasamy, Gandhi said Tamil Nadu had long led the country in advancing social justice, rational thought and inclusive governance. He argued that these principles were now under strain, and warned against attempts to centralise political and economic power.

Framing the election as both ideological and political, Gandhi said the INDIA bloc, including the DMK and the Congress, was committed to safeguarding Tamil Nadu’s autonomy within the constitutional framework. He called on voters to support alliance candidates to protect federal rights and prevent the BJP’s expansion in the state.

Reaffirming his party’s political pitch, Gandhi also announced a set of welfare measures aimed at strengthening social justice and economic support in Tamil Nadu.

Congress' ‘six guarantees’ for Tamil Nadu

1. Rs 2,000/month assistance for women
2. Rs 2,000 each for senior citizens and persons with disabilities
3. Rs 2,000 monthly scholarship for college students
4. Rs 2,500/month for families to support food security
5. To fill govt vacancies in 300 days, 60% reservation for locals in Group C and D posts
6. Free property registration for women purchasing property for the first time.

Calling Tamil Nadu a model of social justice, inclusive governance and progressive development, Congress senior leader Rahul Gandhi, outlined six guarantees for the state ahead of the Assembly elections.

The proposals include Rs 2,000/month assistance for women, along with Rs 2,000 each for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

College students have been promised a monthly scholarship of Rs 2,000, while families would receive Rs 2,500 per month to support food security.

The party has also committed to filling government vacancies within 300 days, with a provision for 60% reservation for locals in Group C and D posts. In addition, free property registration has been promised for women purchasing property for the first time.