Delimitation to impact Punjab’s representation in Lok Sabha: Patiala MP Dharamavira Gandhi

The delimitation exercise to be undertaken by the BJP-led Centre next year to redraw the map of Lok Sabha constituencies may reduce the proportion of seats the state currently holds, invariably impacting its say on issues concerning it, said Patiala MP Dharamavira Gandhi on Sunday. The Congress leader’s remarks came at a meeting of civil society activists called by him to discuss the issue.

His statement seconds the stance of Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, who had urged all state parties to go into a huddle over it to safeguard Punjab’s interests. Gandhi said all states should have equitable representation in Parliament.

Punjab currently has just 13 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha due to which its issues were not being heard adequately, he said. All speakers were of the view that with the delimitation process, Punjab was likely to lose its political clout at the Centre.