Southern Zonal Council Meeting Overshadowed by Delimitation Issue: Karnataka Demands Retain Lok Sabha Strength

The Southern Zonal Council meeting was overshadowed by the delimitation issue. In his address at the meeting, Karnataka Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar demanded a resolution to retain the present strength of 543 seats in the Lok Sabha for the next 25 years. Similar demands were made by the Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Telangana. D. K. Shivakumar placed the state's priorities before the council on a number of issues, including financial share for Karnataka, central grants, water sharing, women's reservation, infrastructure and farmers. D. K. Shivakumar said that Karnataka plays an important role in India's economic progress. The state contributes about 9% to India's GDP with 5% of the country's population. Karnataka's share in India's software exports is about 42% and the state has 1,100 Global Capability Centres (GCCs). He said that Karnataka is also ahead in the export of aerospace, coffee and processed gherkins, while Bengaluru is among the top five AI cities in the world. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar demanded a permanent increase in the number of seats in the council from the current 543 to 3,60%.