'TN defeats Delhi,' says TN CM on Constitution Amendment Bill's defeat in LS

CHENNAI: Chief Minister M K Stalin on Friday said "Tamil Nadu defeats Delhi; TN fought, TN won," on the defeat of the Constitution Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha.

The south stood united and made its voice heard and democracy prevailed, he said.

Reacting to the defeat of the bill, Stalin posted in social media a portrait of him setting on fire a copy of the delimitation bill.

The bill sought to implement reservation for women in legislatures in 2029 and also increase the number of seats in the Lok Sabha.

DMK leaders distributed sweets and burst firecrackers to celebrate the defeat of the bill in Parliament.

Stalin said: "On April 23 (when TN will vote for the Assembly election), we will defeat Delhi's arrogance, together with slaves who support that arrogance."

Furthermore, the chief minister said that delimitation was about representation, about who gets a voice in India’s democracy. "It must strengthen the union, not weaken its balance," he said in a statement.

Guided by 'Periyar' EV Ramasamy, inspired by Dravidian icon CN Annadurai, and strengthened by late DMK patriarch, former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, Tamil Nadu had always stood for justice, dignity, and federalism, he said.

The south stood united and made its voice heard and democracy prevailed.

The chief minister said: "We never opposed delimitation. We asked for fairness, for a process that is consulted, thought through, and agreed upon. Not one pushed through for political gain."

He added: "This is our resolve: every time Tamil Nadu’s rights are challenged, every time its identity or culture is questioned, and every time the federal spirit of India is tested, Tamil Nadu will rise united and unwavering. My sincere thanks to all opposition parties who stood united.

While 298 members voted in support of the bill in Lok Sabha, 230 MPs voted against it. Out of 528 members who voted, the bill required 352 votes for a two-third majority.