Cauvery, NEET, delimitation: What South CMs raised during key meet with Amit Shah

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delimitation dominate South Chief Ministers' meet with Amit Shah South CMs made a pitch that the region's economic contribution must be matched by political representation, fiscal fairness, infrastructure support and a greater voice in national policymaking.Advertisement.pagenode__2684512 #comment_box{display:none}.section__education .description.paywall .elec_stripe_iFrame {display: none;}.dark-mode .livetv__sticky svg path{stroke: #fff;} .dark-mode .livetv__sticky svg text{fill:#fff}table .shopping__widget {display:none}table .inline_ad2 {display: none;}.trinity__container{display: none;} .autiostory a{} table tr td #teads-ad{display:none}table tr td .ads__container{display:none}ul>li div#shoppingWidgetLSH{display:none}ul>li div#shoppingWidget_mobile{display:none}.Story_story__content__body__qCd5E .Story_description__fq_4S>ul>li:has(.inline-story-add) div { display: none; }.pagetype__story ul li #checktheseout2{display: none}.newspress_rhs_widget .ads_container .top_ad>* * { text-align: center; margin: 0 auto; }.ite_mg_banner:nth-of-type(2) { display: none; } .pagenode__2672529 .inline_ad2{display:none}Chief ministers of southern states with Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the council meeting.Apoorva JayachandranSagay RajShibimol KGSagay RajPramod MadhavMahabalipuram,UPDATED: Aug 20, 2026 14:58 ISTEdited By: Ajmal Abbas .ai_assist_bar2 { top:30px } Delimitation, protection of the southern states’ political representation, NEET examination, Cauvery water-sharing and greater fiscal autonomy emerged as some of the key issues raised by Chief Ministers the Southern Zonal Council chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Tamil Nadu on Thursday. While Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar sought a formal resolution to protect the South’s parliamentary strength, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay pressed for safeguards against any reduction in the region’s political voice following the proposed delimitation exercise. The meeting also saw the chief ministers push for greater cooperation among southern states on river-water management, transport, logistics, coastal security, drug trafficking and disaster response. Vijay sought exemption for Tamil Nadu from NEET and proposed that MBBS, BDS and AYUSH admissions under the state quota be based on Class 12 marks, arguing that the examination disadvantages rural and socially and economically weaker students. Water emerged as another major area of discussion, with Karnataka seeking cooperation on the Mekedatu project while Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu proposed the diversion of more than 500 TMC of water through the Godavari-Cauvery interlinking project. Kerala also offered to ensure Tamil Nadu receives water from a proposed new Mullaperiyar dam if Tamil Nadu agrees to the project, while seeking greater regional cooperation on ports, rail connectivity, coastal protection and inter-state security. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay placed the concerns over delimitation and NEET prominently before the Council. He argued that states which successfully implemented population stabilisation policies should not lose political representation as a consequence. Vijay said the freeze on the allocation of Lok Sabha seats based on the 1971 Census was nearing its end and expressed concern that a population-based delimitation could diminish the collective parliamentary voice of the southern states. He sought a clear legislative assurance from the Centre that no state would suffer a reduction in its percentage of parliamentary representation because of its success in population stabilisation. “The Southern States have been at the forefront of population stabilisation, human development and economic growth. These achievements reflect the successful implementation of national priorities and should not result in a reduction of our representation,” Vijay said. “Public policy must not inadvertently penalise States for fulfilling national objectives,” he added, also calling for safeguards to ensure that delimitation did not weaken the South’s political influence. “Delimitation must not diminish South’s collective voice,” he said, urging the Centre to preserve the federal balance envisaged by the Constitution. On NEET, Vijay reiterated Tamil Nadu’s long-standing opposition to the national medical entrance examination. He said NEET places students from rural backgrounds and socially and economically disadvantaged communities at a disadvantage and undermines Tamil Nadu’s model of admission based on school education. “The Government of Tamil Nadu remains firmly committed to protecting the interests of its students and ensuring equitable access to medical education,” Vijay said. Vijay also highlighted the need for stronger inter-state coordination on drug abuse and trafficking, shared economic and logistics clusters, maritime growth, the blue economy and coastal security.DK SHIVAKUMAR: ECONOMIC WEIGHT MUST MATCH WITH POLITICAL VOICE Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar made delimitation one of the strongest political interventions of the meeting. He called for the Southern Zonal Council to adopt a resolution seeking protection of the region’s parliamentary representation. Shivakumar urged the Centre to continue using the 1971 Census as the basis for delimitation, retain the Lok Sabha’s existing strength of 543 seats for the next 25 years and accommodate women’s reservation within the existing number of seats. "We welcome the assurance that no southern state will lose seats. But representation is not only about numbers. It is about weight and about voice," Shivakumar said. He argued that southern states had successfully responded to the national call for population stabilisation and should not be penalised for doing so. "That success must never become the reason to make our voice smaller. Our economic weight must be matched with political voice," he said. Shivakumar called on the Council to ensure that the South’s representation did not decline either in absolute numbers or proportion. He also proposed that women’s reservation be implemented within the existing 543 Lok Sabha seats instead of waiting for a fresh delimitation based on a population count. "Women have waited long enough for their rightful representation. Their reservation should not have to wait for a population count," the Congress leader added. Apart from delimitation, Shivakumar sought a restoration of Karnataka’s tax share from 3.6 per cent to 4.7 pre cent, saying the reduction under the 15th Finance Commission had resulted in an estimated loss of Rs 65,000 crore over six years. He also sought the release of Rs 5,495 crore in special grants and Rs 6,000 crore in state-specific grants recommended by the 15th Finance Commission. Karnataka also sought greater Central support for critical infrastructure projects as well. On river-water disputes, Shivakumar called for a shift from water sharing to water cooperation based on equity, transparency and cooperation, while insisting that Karnataka’s lawful share and the rights of other riparian states be protected. Making a specific pitch for the contentious Mekedatu dam project, which Tamil Nadu has opposed, he added, "Every drop of water from the Mekedatu project will help farmers in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Help us help you". He also called for stronger action against drug trafficking and raised issues involving healthcare financing, education, nutrition, housing, coastal erosion, mining rights, justice delivery, digital infrastructure, banking and support for farmers.KERALA: WATER ASSURANCE TO TAMIL NADU, MULLAPERIYAR AMONG KEY ISSUES Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan raised a broad range of issues, from healthcare financing and coastal erosion to rail connectivity, night traffic restrictions and inter-state security. On the controversial Mullaperiyar issue, Kerala assured Tamil Nadu that it would provide all water from a new dam once Tamil Nadu agrees to the proposal. Kerala offered to bear the cost of the project, while suggesting that Tamil Nadu determine its design, construction and location. Kerala also sought regional cooperation to develop the state as a port hub under Mission Samudra and called for the withdrawal of the proposed amendment to the mining law, arguing that mineral-bearing states must retain their fiscal rights. On parliamentary representation, Kerala favoured providing one-third reservation for women without increasing the overall strength of Parliament. CM Satheesan also raised concerns over the implementation of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY through the Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhathi. Kerala said it spent around Rs 1,493 crore under the scheme in the last policy year while receiving about Rs 151 crore from the National Health Authority, leaving the state to bear nearly 90 per cent of the cost. Coastal erosion was another major concern. Kerala has declared coastal erosion a state-specific disaster and sought permission to use disaster response and mitigation funds for coastal protection and rehabilitation of families displaced by erosion. It also called for speedy finalisation of a national policy on coastal erosion. The state also opposed blanket night traffic restrictions on forest highways linking Kerala with Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, suggesting scientifically determined least-sensitive time windows and regulated convoy movement to balance wildlife protection with public mobility. Kerala sought stronger inter-state cooperation on the safety of women and children, including forensic reports and the production of witnesses across state borders.CHANDRABABU NAIDU: SOUTH CAN BECOME $10-TRILLION ECONOMY Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu called for greater cooperation among southern states, arguing that regional coordination would be central to the economic transformation of the South. Naidu said the southern states collectively contribute around 31 per cent of India’s GDP and have the potential to build a USD 10-trillion economy by 2047. Naidu said issues between the Centre and states could be resolved through trust and mutual cooperation and emphasised that the development of the southern states depended on coordination. Raising the unresolved issues arising from the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, he urged the Centre to expedite the resolution of the outstanding bifurcation-related issues. Naidu highlighted the progress of Polavaram, the South Coast Railway Zone and Amaravati with Central cooperation, while noting that statutory capital status had been secured for Amaravati. Naidu made a major pitch for river interlinking, pointing to a proposal to divert more than 500 TMC of water through the Godavari-Cauvery link. He argued that the project could provide a long-term solution to Tamil Nadu’s water needs and called for Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to coordinate on river-water management. He also called for a long-term national plan to link the Ganga and Cauvery rivers, with time-bound DPRs and clearances for river-interlinking projects. He proposed a bullet train corridor connecting Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, with the route passing through Kuppam. He also called for an integrated transport system linking Amaravati, Bengaluru and Chennai. The state also batted for a common logistics network and dry ports across southern states, as well as greater integration of the southern power grid with the national grid.TELANGANA BATS FOR STRONGER CORPORATION Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu, who participated in the meeting, emphasised the need for greater cooperation among the southern states on shared priorities and regional development. He said Telangana remained committed to strengthening coordination among the states to contribute to a stronger India. Mallu held discussions with chief ministers, deputy chief ministers, ministers and senior officials from the southern states at the meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Mahabalipuram. The meeting brought the southern states together around a range of political, economic and inter-state concerns, even as individual states pressed their own priorities. At its core was a shared argument -- the South’s significant contribution to India’s economy must be matched by greater political representation, fiscal fairness, stronger infrastructure support and a larger voice in national policymaking.- EndsPublished By: Ajmal Published On: Aug 20, 2026 14:52 IST Also WatchUS envoy calls Kashmir important part of India. The reality Pakistan must admitSatyendar Jain, Azam Khan in ED net. 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