Dimapur, September 2 (MExN): The North East India Citizens Forum, Delhi (NEICFD) has urged the chief ministers of all eight Northeastern states to adopt a united position to safeguard the region’s political interests in the forthcoming delimitation exercise.
The forum said parliamentary representation should not be based solely on population and urged the Centre to consider the Northeast’s strategic international borders, difficult terrain, tribal and indigenous communities, cultural and linguistic diversity, developmental disparities and constitutional protections.
It called upon each Northeastern state government to convene a special session of its legislative Assembly to deliberate on the implications of delimitation and adopt a unanimous resolution seeking constitutional safeguards for enhanced and equitable representation in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
The forum proposed a minimum of five to seven Lok Sabha seats for every Northeastern state except Assam, irrespective of population, citing the region’s strategic importance, geographical realities and contribution to national unity and security.
It also sought a minimum of two to three Rajya Sabha seats for every Northeastern state except Assam to ensure a more equitable voice for smaller states and strengthen the federal character of the Constitution.
For Assam, the forum demanded 21 Lok Sabha seats, a 50 per cent increase over its existing 14, and 11 Rajya Sabha seats, up from seven.
It also called for broader criteria for delimitation, including strategic international borders, national security, geographical terrain, tribal and indigenous representation, ethnic and cultural diversity, administrative convenience, developmental disparities, cooperative federalism and balanced regional representation.
The NEICFD expressed concern that smaller states could face further political marginalisation if delimitation is based primarily on population.
Referring to the previous Special Session of Parliament in April 2026, the forum said the proposed constitutional amendment Bill relating to delimitation had not secured the required support, largely due to apprehensions in southern states and among political parties that population-based delimitation could reduce their relative representation in the Lok Sabha.
It said there was now apprehension that if the government proceeds with an enlarged Lok Sabha and a substantial increase in representation for every state, reportedly around 50 per cent, states and political parties that had earlier opposed the proposal could reconsider their position and support the Bill.
If a consensus emerges and the government secures a two-thirds majority, the delimitation process could move forward rapidly, leaving little time for Northeastern states to secure their constitutional interests, the forum said.
The Northeast currently has 25 Lok Sabha members. Even with an increase of around 50 per cent for all eight states, the region would gain only about 12-13 additional members, taking its combined strength to around 37-38.
By comparison, Uttar Pradesh alone could have 120 Lok Sabha members under the proposed formula, it said, arguing that such disparity would leave the Northeast with a comparatively weak voice in Parliament.
The forum urged elected representatives from all eight states to rise above party affiliations and adopt a common constitutional position before the delimitation process reaches its final stage.
It said the demand for enhanced representation was not a demand for special privilege or intended to diminish the democratic rights of other regions, but sought a fair constitutional framework recognising the Northeast’s strategic, geographical, cultural and constitutional importance.
The NEICFD described the forthcoming delimitation exercise as a "historic and defining moment" that may not recur for another 40-50 years.
It also clarified that it was not advocating delimitation before the National Register of Citizens (NRC) or the Census, as some Northeastern states have expressed apprehension over these moves.
The forum said its concern was that the Delimitation Bill, 2026, could be passed with or without the NRC and Census while ignoring the demand for enhanced representation if timely action was not taken.
It appealed to the chief ministers, deputy chief ministers, MPs and MLAs of the Northeastern states to rise above political considerations and collectively protect the region’s constitutional and democratic interests.
