CM Stalin's solution to saving Tamil Nadu’s Lok Sabha representation: Have '16 children'

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday (Oct 21) echoed the words of his Andhra Pradesh counterpart N Chandrababu Naidu and suggested that couples may look to have "16 children" to save the state's Lok Sabha seats.

Speaking at a mass wedding ceremony organised by the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department in Chennai, Stalin addressing the 31 couples newly married couple quipped: "There is a feeling… why not have 16 children (as we) lose Lok Sabha seats".

What did Stalin say?

Speaking at the state-funded Hindu marriage ceremony, Stalin referred to a traditional blessing for prosperity, joking that the political situation might soon demand large families.

"The Parliament delimitation process may encourage couples to have many children and give up thoughts of a small family. But whatever be the outcome, provide Tamil names to your children," he said.

Stalin said that in the past elders used to bless newly married couples with "pathinarum petru peru vazhvu vazhga," roughly translated to acquire 16 kinds of wealth.

"That blessing doesn’t mean beget 16 children, now a situation has arisen where people think they should now literally raise 16 children and not a small and prosperous family," said the Tamil Nadu chief minister.

What's happening to Tamil Nadu's Lok Sabha seats?

In 2026, with the implementation of the Women's Reservation Bill, India will redraw its electoral map. Before its implementation, the nation will undergo a census and delimitation exercise that is expected to increase the number of Lok Sabha seats from the current 543 to a whopping 753.

The delimitation, which will redraw the boundaries of parliamentary constituencies based on updated population data, threatens to reduce the influence of southern states like Tamil Nadu in the Lok Sabha. The population-controlled regions fear losing political power.

For instance, Tamil Nadu's representation in the Lok Sabha might barely increase from 39 to 41 seats, while Uttar Pradesh could see a massive jump, from 80 to 126. Kerala, which has excelled in managing population growth, could even lose a seat.

Stalin's government has been one of the loudest critics of the proposed changes. In February, the DMK passed a resolution opposing the delimitation, arguing that states like Tamil Nadu, which have successfully curbed population growth, should not be penalised, while those with unchecked population increases should not be rewarded.

While the Modi government has indicated it will consider the achievements of southern states in controlling population growth, the fear of a significant shift in political representation has left many southern leaders, including Stalin, on edge.

(With inputs from agencies)