Nagapattinam (Tamil Nadu), Mar 3 (Reporter) Chief Minister M.K.Stalin on Monday appealed to all the political parties in Tamil Nadu to participate in the all-party meeting convened by the State government on March 5 to discuss the issue of proposed delimitation exercise, under which the state might lose is present strength of Lok Sabha seats. ‘The political parties who prefer to boycott the all party-meeting should reconsider their decision, as it is about protecting the rights of Tamil Nadu,’ Mr.Stalin said in his address, after launching various welfare measures at an official function here. He said invitations have been sent to 40 political parties registered with the Election Commission to participate in the meeting to discuss this crucial issue, as the Union Government is conspiring to reduce the number of Lok Sabha seats to Tamil Nadu under the guise of delimitation. "While a majority of political parties have accepted our invitation, a few are boycotting it. Those who have planned to skip the meeting should understand that this is not a problem of DMK, it is a problem concerning the future of the entire State", he added. ‘I urge all parties to set aside their differences and join the discussion, and stand together for the welfare of the State and protect its rights,’ he said. Mr.Stalin said Tamil Nadu could stand to lose up to eight Lok Sabha seats, thereby reducing its representation from 39 to 31 MPs if the delimitation is conducted solely based on population. It will weaken our voice in the Parliament. He said the delimitation on population basis would also affect all the southern states, including Tamil Nadu, which had effectively taken up population control measures by implementing the family planning programme over the years. It may be recalled that while the principal opposition AIADMK and PMK have confirmed their participation in the all party meeting, the BJP and the Naam Tamizhar Katchi decided to boycott it. The Tamil Maanila Congress headed by former Union Shipping Minister G K Vasan also decided to skip the meeting...////...