Delimitation, protection of the southern states’ political representation, NEET examination, Cauvery water-sharing and greater fiscal autonomy emerged as some of the key issues raised by Chief Ministers at the Southern Zonal Council chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Tamil Nadu on Thursday.

While Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar sought a formal resolution to protect the South’s parliamentary strength, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay pressed for safeguards against any reduction in the region’s political voice following the proposed delimitation exercise.

The meeting also saw the chief ministers push for greater cooperation among southern states on river-water management, transport, logistics, coastal security, drug trafficking and disaster response.

Vijay sought exemption for Tamil Nadu from NEET and proposed that MBBS, BDS and AYUSH admissions under the state quota be based on Class 12 marks, arguing that the examination disadvantages rural and socially and economically weaker students.