With an impending de limitation exercise on mind, two CMs of Southern states who hold different political allegiance have echoed similar views on need of producing more kids.

Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin on Monday urged the people to produce more offspring while participating in a marriage ceremony of 31 couples in Chennai.

This statement of advocating giving birth to more kids and raising large family would have gone unnoticed or as an aberration if this was made in isolation.

But two days back only, Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu too had aired similar views on raising large family.

The statements of these two leaders who are known for articulating well-calculated statements have stirred the pot. The issue has sparked debate on the need of increasing the size of families as India already facing the consequences of population explosion.

In 2023, India became largest populated country on planet earth surpassing China. With limited resources and teeming millions, population control has been a moral duty of the people of the country.

Total Fertility Rate ( Children per women)

The below chart ( Economic survey 2023-24)of TFR of some Southern & Northen states will give us an insight :

Political dividend ?

It is clear that there is a direct relation between the population & delimitation and perhaps there are fears that when the delimitation exercise will be conducted ( may be after 2026) then given the less population in the southern states as compared to Northen states, the power balance in the loksabha may tilt towards norther states.

This fear of less representation in parliament must be in the minds of these stalwarts when they spoke almost same thing . However, it must be noted that Naidu had made the statement expressing concern about the ageing population and the contraction in work force due to this. Though he did not sounded political but Stalin’s statement next day has given an indication of the opinion of political voices in southern India.

While Naidu supports the current dispensation of NDA and Modi led NDA govt is dependent on his outside support, Stalin is a pillar of strength for UPA.