Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Chief Raj Thackeray slammed the Central government, accusing it of using constitutional amendments to maintain power. Thackeray clarified that the MNS supports the Women’s Reservation Bill but questioned the timing of its notification while discussions were ongoing. He objected to the delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies based on population, stating it would disadvantage states like Maharashtra, Goa, and Southern states that managed population growth effectively.
Thackeray criticized the restructuring of constituencies as a step towards imposing Hindi on non-Hindi speaking states. He expressed concerns about migration from Northern states creating “vote banks” in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Karnataka. Thackeray warned that this trend could spread to South India, affecting the allegiance of elected representatives. He highlighted the increasing fiscal gap between contributing and aid-receiving states, emphasizing the potential loss of parliamentary representation for Southern states.
Accusing the BJP of destabilizing political families and poaching MLAs, Thackeray warned against the consequences of delimitation. He suggested that these actions might fuel autonomy demands in states, impacting internal security and defense. Thackeray urged leaders in Gujarat to remain vigilant, cautioning against complacency in the face of these developments.
