Tamil Nadu chief minister urges safeguards on delimitation, Cauvery water and NEET reforms
Chief Minister Joseph Vijay asked the centre for guarantees that successful population control won’t cut southern states’ parliamentary seats, pressed for swift compliance with Cauvery water orders and called for a state-quota based admission system for medical colleges.
At the 31st Southern Zonal Council session in New Delhi, Tamil Nadu chief minister Joseph Vijay raised alarm over the Delimitation Bill, 2026, arguing that a population-based seat allocation could diminish the voice of southern states that have achieved demographic stability. He requested a clear legislative assurance that states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala will not see a drop in their parliamentary share because of successful population control.
Vijay also urged immediate implementation of Supreme Court rulings and Cauvery Water Management Authority orders, which require Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs daily at Biligundlu. The chief minister reiterated Tamil Nadu’s stance against the NEET exam, asking the centre to allow state-quota medical admissions to be decided solely on Class XII scores. He further called for tighter regulation of online prescription drug sales and coordinated action against illicit narcotics. The appeals were directed to Union home minister Amit Shah, who chaired the council.
Why it matters
The demands could shape future representation, water sharing and medical admissions for millions in southern India.
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