Chennai:Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram and Congress MP Karti Chidambaram have urged the DMK to maintain its opposition to the proposed Delimitation Bill, warning that any change in its stand would amount to a betrayal of its own principles.

Their remarks come amid reports that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is preparing to reintroduce the proposed constitutional amendment on parliamentary delimitation during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, which is scheduled to begin on July 20.

The legislation had earlier failed to secure approval when it was introduced in Parliament during the April 2026 session.

Addressing reporters in Sivaganga on Thursday, Karti Chidambaram said he expected the DMK to remain consistent with the position it had taken when the Bill was debated earlier this year.

He expressed confidence that the party would continue to oppose the legislation if it were brought back before Parliament.

Speaking on the newly elected Tamil Nadu government, Karti said it would be appropriate to evaluate its performance only after the presentation of its first full Budget.

He added that the government, with a comfortable legislative majority, had no need to resort to political manoeuvring or attempts to destabilise rival parties and was well placed to complete its five-year term.

Commenting on custodial deaths, the Congress MP said such incidents had occurred under successive governments and should not be viewed as the responsibility of a single administration alone.

He argued that deeper reforms were required within the policing system and stressed that a change in institutional culture was essential to reduce such incidents in the future. Karti also said allegations of corruption against ministers or legislators should be dealt with swiftly through due process.

On incidents of violence involving students, he maintained that responsibility could not rest solely with the government and called for greater accountability and awareness among parents, teachers, and students.

Earlier this week, P. Chidambaram had cautioned that supporting the proposed Delimitation Bill would amount to compromising one's conscience.

He said reports suggested that the BJP was seeking support from regional parties, including the DMK and Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party, to secure the numbers required for the Bill's passage if it is reintroduced.

The veteran Congress leader said both parties were fully aware of the implications of the proposed legislation and expressed confidence that they would remain firm in their opposition when the issue returns to Parliament.

--IANS