The Guardian view on Modi redrawing India’s electoral map: deepening a dangerous north-south divide| Editorial
The Hindu nationalist prime minister’s push could shift power northward to his political advantage but risks escalating political tensions
When Narendra Modi’s alliance won a narrow majority in last year’s Indian election, it signalled his waning popularity after a decade in power. A victory in 2029 may seem unlikely. Yet his government’s push to redraw parliamentary constituencies using post-2026 census data could tilt the electoral field in his favour.
The process, known as delimitation, ensures each member of parliament represents an equal number of voters – a principle of democratic fairness. Since 1976, however, it has been frozen to avoid penalising Indian states that curbed population growth. If delimitation proceeds, Mr Modi’s populous northern strongholds will gain seats, weakening the political clout of India’s economically dynamic and culturally distinct southern cone. Its five states are governed by different parties but, critically, none belong to Modi’s ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata party (BJP). Southern states have long accused Mr Modi’s government of bias in federal funding and project approvals. Last week’s gathering of the south’s political leadership in Delhi to protest against his move underscores the risk of backlash.
Continue reading...Topics
-
Climate Change Made South Sudan Heat Wave More Likely, Study Finds
Years of war and food insecurity in the region made the extreme heat especially dangerous.The New York Times - 2d -
Detained South Korean president is freed to cheers and jeers as he faces insurrection trial
Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was released from detention on Saturday, deepening political division in the key U.S. ally as he faces insurrection charges over his failed attempt to ...NBC News - 1d -
Soldier goes on the run with teen after his wife's murder. Is she in danger?
After Cati Blauvelt, 22, was murdered in Simpsonville, South Carolina, her husband, former U.S. Army recruiter John Blauvelt, fled with his 17-year-old girlfriend Hannah Thompson. U.S. Marshals led ...CBS News - 1d -
Almost 290,000 properties without power as ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred brings dangerous rain
South-east Queensland and northern NSW struggle to recover amid heavy downpours and flash flooding. Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Swathes of south-east ...The Guardian - 17h -
TJD views G League assignment as opportunity, not Warriors demotion
Trayce Jackson-Davis views his game with the G League Santa Cruz Warriors on Sunday at Chase Center as an opportunity to get back on the floor.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
India edge out New Zealand to win Champions Trophy
India win the Champions Trophy for a record third time after a four-wicket victory over New Zealand in Dubai.BBC News - 8h -
Monday Briefing: Violence Continues in Syria
Plus, reading festivals in India.The New York Times - 4h -
Danger for Republicans as ‘DOGE’ bites veterans
Jobs held by American veterans fell 175,000 last month.MarketWatch - 3h -
Two men arrested in India over alleged rape of Israeli and local woman
The two women were said to have been stargazing with three male travellers when the incident took place. Two men have been arrested in India in connection with the alleged rape of an Israeli and a ...The Guardian - 1d
More from The Guardian
-
Mark Carney to be next Canada PM after winning Liberal leadership race
Former central banker will be only second prime minister in Canadian history without a seat in parliament. Mark Carney, the former central banker who oversaw the response to financial crises in ...The Guardian - 3h -
Israel to cut off electricity in Gaza in apparent effort to force hand of Hamas
Humanitarian officials say move could hit already meagre water supply, as ceasefire talks grow increasingly chaotic. Israel is to cut off any remaining electricity supplies to Gaza in an apparent ...The Guardian - 2h -
‘I hate to predict things’: Trump doesn’t rule out US recession amid trade tariffs
President downplays recent stock market volatility that followed his ducking and weaving over tariff policy. Donald Trump on Sunday refused to rule out the possibility that the US economy will head ...The Guardian - 5h -
Russian forces recapture villages in Ukrainian-held pocket inside Russia
Moscow claims it is close to surrounding thousands of Ukrainian troops in Kursk region. . Russia has taken control of several villages in the Kursk region and claims its forces are close to ...The Guardian - 9h -
US added to international watchlist for rapid decline in civic freedoms
Civicus, an international non-profit, puts country alongside Democratic Republic of Congo, Italy, Pakistan and Serbia. The United States has been added to the Civicus Monitor Watchlist, which ...The Guardian - 1h
More in World
-
Ex-Cyclone Alfred live updates: Brisbane and NSW flooding; power outages; floods evacuation warnings – latest news
Follow today’s news live. Full report: residents warned to head for high ground as flood waters rise Send us your photographs and videos of ex-Cyclone Alfred Get our breaking news email , ...The Guardian - 18m -
Ukraine war briefing: Kyiv officials to meet Trump aides in Saudi Arabia
Volodymyr Zelenskyy says ‘realistic proposals on the table’ in talks; Donald Trump hints US may be close to lifting intelligence pause. What we know on day 1,111. See all our Russia-Ukraine war ...The Guardian - 26m -
Trade tariffs are the new normal – and that’s unlikely to be positive for Australia | Sally Auld
US policy changes won’t have a large direct effect on the Australian economy but a global trade war can only be a drag on growth. Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news ...The Guardian - 1h -
UK to impose new targets on regulators to spur innovation
Goals designed to hasten rollout of advances such as drones and autonomous vehicles, says Patrick VallanceFinancial Times - 1h -
US added to international watchlist for rapid decline in civic freedoms
Civicus, an international non-profit, puts country alongside Democratic Republic of Congo, Italy, Pakistan and Serbia. The United States has been added to the Civicus Monitor Watchlist, which ...The Guardian - 1h