Andhra Pradesh Lok Sabha MP Kalisetti Appala Naidu has defended his controversial proposal to offer ₹50,000 for the birth of a third child and a cow if the child is a boy. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader justified the move by citing concerns over a “very poor next generation” in the state and the need to boost India’s population, despite the country already having over 1.44 billion people.
The announcement, made on Saturday in Naidu’s Vizianagaram constituency, has sparked debate. While some hailed it as a “revolutionary” step, critics pointed out its apparent gender bias, as boys receive a cow in addition to the cash incentive. The scheme was also praised by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, who has voiced concerns about an aging population in South India.
Delimitation Controversy
The offer comes amid an ongoing dispute between the central government and southern states over delimitation—redrawing Lok Sabha constituency boundaries based on population. Southern states, particularly Tamil Nadu, argue they will lose representation in Parliament as they have successfully controlled population growth, unlike several northern states, which are BJP strongholds.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has been vocal in opposing delimitation based on current population data. He has called for assurances from Prime Minister Narendra Modi that seat distribution will follow the 1971 census, ensuring states like Tamil Nadu are not penalized for maintaining lower birth rates.
Last week, Stalin invited leaders from seven states, including Punjab and West Bengal, to discuss the issue. He warned that delimitation could “strip away our rightful voice in Parliament” and called it a “blatant assault on federalism.”
BJP’s Stand on Delimitation
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, speaking in Tamil Nadu recently, assured that no southern state would lose Lok Sabha seats. However, opposition leaders questioned whether this meant northern states would still gain more seats, thereby reducing southern representation in proportion.
The issue was also raised in Parliament, where opposition parties staged a walkout in protest. BJP leader JP Nadda condemned the move, accusing the opposition of spreading misinformation.
With Tamil Nadu set for Assembly elections next year, delimitation and concerns over Hindi imposition are expected to be key election issues. Whether Chandrababu Naidu, a BJP ally, will attend the upcoming meeting called by Stalin remains uncertain. Meanwhile, Kalisetti Appala Naidu’s controversial offer has only added to the larger debate on population policies and political representation in India.
Sources By Agencies
