India to decide women's quota bill as row over parliamentary seats intensifies

Getty ImagesIn Kerala, with Europe-like fertility rates, an MP represents about 1.75 million peopleThat shift has alarmed opposition parties - especially in the south - who fear it could cost them seats and influence, effectively penalising regions with lower population growth and stronger economies. The five southern states - Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Telangana - account for about 20% of India's 1.4 billion people.They also outperform the rest of the country in health, education and economic prospects. A child is less likely to be born here than in the north, due to lower population growth rates.Their leaders are worried that the more prosperous south may lose parliamentary seats in the future, a "punishment" for having fewer children and generating more wealth.Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Telangana had sought to extend the freeze on seat redistribution for 25 years. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has called the delimitation plan a "massive historic injustice," .On Thursday, he staged a protest where he hoisted a black flag and burned a copy of the proposed bill. Stalin also urged party workers and supporters to fly black flags at their homes.