- Amit Shah chaired the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, where chief ministers raised key political, economic, and inter-state issues.
- Karnataka CM D K Shivakumar called for the 1971 Census to remain the basis for delimitation and raised the Mekedatu project during the meeting.
- Kerala CM V D Satheesan flagged the Mullaperiyar dam issue and offered to provide water from a new dam if Tamil Nadu agrees to the project.
- Tamil Nadu CM C Joseph Vijay made a strong pitch for a united South, addressing issues like water disputes, NEET, delimitation, and economic development.
- Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu called for river interlinking and proposed a USD 10-trillion economy by 2047.
- Telangana Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu emphasized the need for regional cooperation among southern states.
- Delimitation, protection of the southern states’ political representation, NEET examination, and Cauvery water-sharing were key issues raised by Chief Ministers at the meeting.
- Vijay warned that population-based redistribution of Lok Sabha seats could diminish the collective voice of the southern states, which have successfully stabilised their populations.
- Vijay reiterated Tamil Nadu’s long-standing opposition to NEET, stating it disadvantages rural students and those from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Shivakumar argued that southern states should not be penalised for their success in population stabilisation and called for a resolution to protect the region’s parliamentary representation.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting in Tamil Nadu, where key issues like Cauvery water-sharing, NEET, and delimitation were discussed.1911
Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay emphasized the need for a united South, advocating for cooperation among southern states to tackle shared challenges such as inter-state water disputes and economic development. He stated, "Our rivers, coasts, infrastructure and markets should unite us in a common purpose and shared prosperity."610
Vijay raised concerns over the 1971 Census as the basis for delimitation, warning that population-based redistribution could diminish the southern states' parliamentary voice. He sought legislative assurance that states successfully stabilizing their populations would not lose representation.23
Karnataka's CM D K Shivakumar echoed these sentiments, urging the continuation of the 1971 Census for delimitation and advocating for the retention of the Lok Sabha's current strength of 543 seats for the next 25 years. He also highlighted the need for Karnataka's tax share to be restored and called for the release of special grants.12
The meeting also addressed the Mekedatu project and the Mullaperiyar dam issue, with Kerala assuring Tamil Nadu of cooperation on water-sharing.
Andhra Pradesh's CM Chandrababu Naidu called for enhanced regional cooperation, emphasizing the southern states' potential to contribute significantly to India's economy, aiming for a USD 10-trillion economy by 2047.78
“Karnataka CM Shivakumar sought restoration of the state's tax share from 3.6% to 4.7%, citing an estimated loss of Rs 65,000 crore over six years. Kerala CM Satheesan flagged that the state bore nearly 90% of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY costs, spending Rs 1,493 crore while receiving only Rs 151 crore from the National Health Authority.”
