Former Union minister P Chidambaram on Thursday praised actor Vijay for opposing the proposed constituency redelineation-linked legislation, saying Vijay had voiced concerns shared by many. Speaking to reporters in Karaikudi, Chidambaram said he welcomed Vijay “expressing our voice” on the issue.
Chidambaram claimed the move was being projected as a women’s reservation measure, calling that framing misleading. He referred to the women’s reservation constitutional amendment passed in September 2023, which provides for reserving 181 of the 543 Lok Sabha seats for women, and said it was now being brought back into focus.
He argued that under the redelineation and reservation framework, the total number of MPs is being discussed as rising from 543 to around 812. While Tamil Nadu’s seats could be shown as increasing from 39 to 58, he said a population-based redrawing—using the 2011 or 2026–27 census as the base—could later reduce the state’s tally to 46 or 47.
Citing other states, he said Uttar Pradesh’s seats could rise from 80 to 120 and then to 140 after redelineation, while Andhra Pradesh could move from 27 to 38 and then fall to 30. He alleged that the possibility of seat reductions after redrawing was not being clearly stated.
Chidambaram said several parties, including the Congress and the DMK, had raised the issue. He added that if 180 to 190 MPs vote against the bill, it would not pass, and said he expected it to be defeated. He also questioned why protesting a law should invite jail, and criticised AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami’s support for the measure, asking whether it stemmed from “ignorance or fear.”
