Akali Dal to attend anti-delimitation meet in Chennai

File picture of SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema.
| Photo Credit: ANI

Amid an attempt by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to join forces against the upcoming delimitation exercise of Parliamentary constituencies, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Saturday announced to attend the meeting, slated for March 22 in Chennai, for developing a collective strategy on the issue.

“Punjab is a State, which has supported the nation on population control, and hence we are worried that if population is the only criteria for delimitation then it’s not sensible. States like us should not be penalised for our efforts towards the nation. Northern States are likely to suffer equally as Southern states. We have decided that SAD will participate in the meeting in Chennai,” senior SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema told The Hindu.

“We have confirmed our participation to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. The party’s working president Balwinder Bhunder and I would attend the meeting where deliberations would be held on issues surrounding delimitation and federalism. We will present our viewpoint. Those States that have stood with the nation should not be put at disadvantage due to delimitation. The States should not suffer,” said Mr. Cheema.

Mr. Stalin has been reaching out to leaders of different political parties for the formation of a Joint Action Committee to come up with a collective strategy surrounding delimitation.

Mr. Cheema said SAD is the party that has always firmly stood for the strengthening of federalism. “The SAD had always led the nation towards federalism. In 1973, we supported the Anandpur resolution demanding more power to States and strengthening regional autonomy,” he said.