The North East India Citizens Forum, Delhi (NEICFD) has urged the Chief Ministers of all eight Northeastern States to adopt a united position to safeguard the region’s long-term political interests ahead of the forthcoming delimitation exercise.
In a press statement, NEICFD Convenor, Mathiupuang Gonmei said parliamentary representation in the Northeast should not be determined solely on the basis of population. He argued that the region’s strategic international borders, difficult terrain, tribal and indigenous communities, cultural and linguistic diversity, developmental disparities and constitutional protections must also be considered.
The Forum called upon all Northeastern State Governments to convene Special Sessions of their respective Legislative Assemblies to deliberate on the implications of delimitation and adopt unanimous resolutions seeking constitutional safeguards for enhanced and equitable representation in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
Among its key demands, the NEICFD has proposed that every Northeastern State except Assam be guaranteed five to seven Lok Sabha seats and two to three Rajya Sabha seats, irrespective of population, recognizing the region’s strategic importance, geographical realities, constitutional status and contribution to India’s unity and security.
For Assam, the Forum has sought an increase in representation to 21 Lok Sabha seats from the existing 14 and 11 Rajya Sabha seats from seven.
The Forum has also called for a broader set of criteria for delimitation, including strategic international borders and national security considerations, geographical terrain, tribal and indigenous representation, ethnic and cultural diversity, administrative convenience, developmental disparities, cooperative federalism and balanced regional representation.
Warns of political marginalisation
The NEICFD said the Northeast currently has only 25 Lok Sabha members and warned that even a 50 per cent increase in representation across the region would raise its combined strength to only around 37–38 members.
It contrasted this with the projected representation of larger States, stating that Uttar Pradesh alone could have around 120 Lok Sabha members under a population-based expansion. Such a disparity, it argued, could leave the Northeast with a comparatively weak voice in Parliament, particularly in relation to the overall expansion of the House.
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It urged elected representatives from the eight Northeastern States to rise above party affiliations and formulate a common constitutional position before the delimitation process reaches its final stage.
The NEICFD maintained that its demand for enhanced representation was not intended to seek special privilege or diminish the democratic rights of other regions, but to ensure a fair constitutional framework that recognises the Northeast’s strategic, geographical, cultural and constitutional significance.
Calls it a defining moment
Describing the forthcoming delimitation exercise as a “historic and defining moment” that could shape the region’s political representation for the next several decades, the Forum clarified that it was not advocating delimitation ahead of the NRC or Census, as some States in Northeast India have expressed strong apprehension about these moves of the Government.
Rather, it expressed concern that a proposed Delimitation Bill, 2026 could be passed while the concerns of the Northeastern States regarding equitable parliamentary representation remain unaddressed.
The Forum, therefore, appealed to Chief Ministers, Deputy Chief Ministers, MPs and MLAs across the Northeast to collectively raise the issue and speak with one united voice and collectively protect the constitutional and democratic interests of the region.
“This is neither a party issue nor the concern of any single State,” the statement said, stressing that the matter could determine the political voice and constitutional standing of Northeast India for generations.
The NEICFD said a stronger parliamentary voice for the Northeast would strengthen not only the region but also India’s unity, federal balance, national security and democratic foundations.
