Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar made a pitch for “fairness in funds, voice and respect” for Southern states, which form the “engine of the Indian economy”, addressing the 31st meeting of the Southern Zonal Council at Mahabalipuram, chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah.

He forwarded the growth argument to demand both better devolution of taxes for southern states and fair representation in delimitation. The Chief Minister urged the Council to adopt a resolution calling upon the Union government to honour 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 these existing seats, according to a communique by the CMO.

South drives economy

Speaking on financial strength of the south, Mr. Shivakumar pointed out that the five states accounted for nearly 33% of the country’s GDP despite having about 20% of its population. He highlighted Karnataka as one of the strongest drivers of this growth and said it accounted for 42% of India’s software exports, hosted around 1,100 Global Capability Centres and attracted over 21% of India’s FDI equity inflows between 2019 and 2025. “The State, with 5.5% of India’s population, contributes about 9% to the country’s GDP,” he said.

“Pride demands fairness in return. We have always done our part. We contribute, we build, we grow, and we carry the nation forward. All we ask from the Union government is this: please care as much as we share,” he said.

Mr. Shivakumar said Karnataka’s share in the divisible pool under the 15th Finance Commission had fallen from 4.7% to 3.6% which he said resulted in an estimated loss of ₹ 65,000 crore to the State over six years.

He also pointed out that the 15th Finance Commission’s recommended special grant of ₹5,495 crore and State-specific grants of ₹6,000 crore had not been released.

While welcoming the increase in Karnataka’s share to 4.131% under the 16th Finance Commission, Mr. Shivakumar said the State’s share should ultimately be restored to 4.7%. “Karnataka is the second largest contributor to GST and to Income Tax, and a State that performs on growth and revenue deserves to be incentivised, not penalised,” he said.

On delimitation, the Chief Minister said, “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.”

Mr. Shivakumar called for the 1971 population basis to be honoured and the South’s representation to be protected both in absolute numbers and proportion.

Adopt resolution

He also urged the Southern Zonal Council to adopt a resolution freezing the number of Lok Sabha seats at the current level while providing women’s reservation within that existing number.

Mr. Shivakumar said the South’s success in controlling its population must not become a reason for reducing its political voice.

“I am confident that all the Chief Ministers here will support me in what I say. Let the 1971 basis be honoured, and let the strength of our voice be protected,” he said. The Chief Minister said protecting the South’s political voice was integral to ensuring fairness within India’s federal structure.

Published – August 20, 2026 05:53 pm IST

Union Home Minister Amit Shah met T.N. Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay in Chennai ahead of the 31st Meeting of the Southern Zonal Council. Photo: X/@AmitShah.