It's reengineering power: Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin on 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha, assemblies

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday raised suspicion over the 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and assemblies, saying the Centre's eagerness for an early rollout amid elections in several states, including in TN, appeared to be an attempt to shape the electoral narrative and tilt scales in favour of northern states where BJP stands to benefit.

"The timing raises serious suspicion," he said in a post on X. "Why push such a far-reaching decision in the middle of the state elections? This appears to be yet another political manoeuvre aimed at shaping electoral narratives, much like earlier attempts to influence women voters ahead of the 2024 parliament elections."

"If the intent is genuine, nothing prevents immediate implementation within the existing framework," he said. "There is complete opacity on the basis for delimitation. Will it rely on the 1971 figures from a pre-population control era or the 2021 Census? Conflicting signals and vague assurances only deepen suspicion."


Stalin said the government's claims of being a champion of OBCs and social justice was "deeply hollow". He said the government has denied OBCs their rightful share, kept the '₹8 lakh creamy layer ceiling' frozen for decades and has offered no meaningful guarantee for OBC women's representation.

"The haste to proceed without even considering the outcome of the first comprehensive caste census expected in 2027 further exposes the lack of sincerity. This is not empowerment, it is exclusion dressed up as reform," he said. Stalin flagged that the move would impose massive financial burden on states, forcing them to expand or rebuild assemblies, all without proper consultation. "This is a direct assault on cooperative federalism," Stalin said. He said it was not reform but rather "reengineering power".