Overview
- Speaking at the South Indian Socialist Conference in Bengaluru on January 20, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said decisions from Delhi are being imposed on states.
- He argued that BJP-proposed delimitation would weaken South India's political voice and intensify injustice in resource allocation.
- Citing studies, he said Uttar Pradesh and Bihar could gain more than 20 seats, Tamil Nadu and Kerala could together lose 16, and Karnataka may also see reduced representation.
- He alleged fiscal federalism is being hollowed out through shrinking tax devolution and the use of cesses and surcharges that centralize revenue.
- He urged a constitutional course correction with safeguards for southern states and pressed for reviving the Inter-State Council to restore dialogue.