NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 2: The North East India Citizens Forum, Delhi (NEICFD) has urged the Chief Ministers and elected representatives of all eight Northeastern states to come together and safeguard the region’s political interests ahead of the proposed Delimitation Bill, 2026.
In a strongly worded press statement, the forum said parliamentary representation in Northeast India should not be determined solely by population. It 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 taken into consideration.
The NEICFD has called upon each Northeastern State Government to convene a Special Session of its Legislative Assembly to deliberate on the possible implications of delimitation and adopt a unanimous resolution seeking constitutional safeguards for enhanced and equitable representation in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
The forum has proposed that every Northeastern state except Assam should be guaranteed a minimum of five to seven Lok Sabha seats and two to three Rajya Sabha seats, irrespective of population. For Assam, it has demanded 21 Lok Sabha seats and 11 Rajya Sabha seats.
The NEICFD has further demanded that the delimitation exercise consider factors including strategic international borders, national security, geographical terrain, tribal and indigenous representation, ethnic and cultural diversity, administrative convenience, developmental disparities, cooperative federalism and balanced regional representation.
According to the forum, the Northeast currently has 25 Members of Parliament in the Lok Sabha. Even if all eight Northeastern states receive an increase of around 50 per cent, the region would have only about 37–38 members. The statement compares this with a possible 120 Lok Sabha seats for Uttar Pradesh under the proposed formula, which the forum says demonstrates the need for stronger safeguards for the Northeast’s political voice.
The forum has appealed to elected representatives from all eight Northeastern states to rise above party affiliations and adopt a common constitutional position before the delimitation process reaches its final stage.
The NEICFD maintained that its demand for enhanced representation is not a demand for special privilege or an attempt to diminish the democratic rights of any other region. Instead, it said the objective is to ensure a fair and balanced constitutional framework that recognises the unique strategic, geographical, cultural and constitutional importance of Northeast India.
Describing the forthcoming delimitation exercise as a historic and defining moment, the forum said such an exercise may not recur for another 40–50 years. It also clarified that it is not advocating delimitation before the National Register of Citizens (NRC) or the Census. Its concern, according to the statement, is that the Delimitation Bill could be passed while the genuine demand of the people of Northeast India for enhanced parliamentary representation remains unaddressed.
The NEICFD has therefore made an urgent appeal to all Chief Ministers, Deputy Chief Ministers, MPs and MLAs of the Northeastern states to set aside political considerations and speak with one united voice.
The forum warned that the issue could determine the political voice and constitutional standing of Northeast India for generations to come, stressing that stronger parliamentary representation would strengthen not only the region but also India’s unity, federal balance, national security and democratic foundations.
The press statement was issued by Mathiupuang Gonmei, Convenor, North East India Citizens Forum, Delhi (NEICFD).
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