Assam Delimitation Draft: What changes will it bring, why is it being opposed?

Last week, the Election Commission released the draft delimitation proposal for Assam. In which it was proposed to change the boundaries of many Lok Sabha and assembly constituencies of the state. While the BJP is calling it a proposal to ‘protect local interests’, opposition parties like the All India Democratic Front (AIUDF), which represents the Bengali-origin Muslims of the state, are unhappy.  The AIUDF says that this draft divides voters on religious lines. 

It is also alleged that the proposed draft has put the electoral future of some sitting MLAs and MPs at risk. It is being said that sitting MLAs and MPs may lose their constituencies.

What is delimitation

The boundaries of Lok Sabha and Vidhansabha seats are being redrawn Determining is called delimitation. Its purpose is to provide equal representation for similar population sections, so as to ensure that no political party is at an advantage. Delimitation is a constitutional process which is done on the basis of the previous census data (in this case the year 2001). 

In Assam, through amendments in 1976 and 2001, the process of delimitation was extended every 25 years. Delimitation for the entire country has been done four times during this period. During the last delimitation exercise in 2008, the government decided to leave out Jammu and Kashmir along with Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland. 

What’s to change in this draft Proposal 

The Election Commission has proposed a change in the geographical boundaries. There is also a proposal to increase the number of constituencies reserved for Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Scheduled Castes (SCs). Please tell that the number of assembly seats in Assam is 126 and the number of Lok Sabha seats is 14.  The state also has seven Rajya Sabha seats

How was the delimitation process done in Assam?

The Election Commission took the views and suggestions of 11 political parties and 71 organizations. All these political parties and organizations met during their visit to Assam in March. The delimitation of constituencies was done on the basis of 2001 census data.  

However some parties were also against the delimitation. Even now the opposition is opposing it. The Election Commission said that suggestions and objections on the draft proposal will be taken till July 11, after which the commission will organize a public hearing in Assam.

Why the controversy is happening? p>

Many political parties and groups allege that the draft is biased.  Representatives of the Muslim community of Bengali origin say that this draft "disenfranchises them politically" and the ruling BJP "promote the agenda" Will give. 

A leader of the All Assam Minority Students’ Union (AAMSU), representing the community, alleged ‘if the proposal is implemented in its present form, the minority community "Political loss will be huge".  Especially in those assembly seats where the Bengali Muslim community lives in large numbers. they are often "external" is called. At least 35 seats out of 126 assembly constituencies are like this. The way the constituencies are being shaped, the minority areas are being replaced by the majority. [हिंदू] The work of mixing with the population is being done. Many seats with Muslim population have been removed. This is most troubling in districts like Barpeta and Barak Valley region of south Assam, he said. 

Barpeta district currently has eight constituencies. According to the draft proposal, these have now been reduced to six. One of them is now reserved for SC candidates. 

According to the news of the Indian Express, a sitting MLA from the Bengali Muslim community said on the condition of anonymity, ‘In the eight constituencies of Barpeta, about Six or seven Muslim MLAs could have been elected. But now they have not only reduced the number of constituencies but have made them in such a way that only three Muslim MLAs can win from Barpeta region’. 

On the other hand Bengali dominated South Assam In the two districts of Barak Valley, Karimganj and Hailakandi, the draft has suggested abolition of two assembly seats (Katlichera in Hailakandi district and Patharkandi in Karimganj district). The MLA claims that these were also dependent on Muslim votes. Apart from this, there are many examples from lower Assam, which is said to be the stronghold of Bengali Muslims, which make it clear that Hindu seats have been increased. Congress MP Abdul Khaliq called it an ‘unscientific and unconstitutional draft’. He said, ‘The draft of this proposal has been prepared by the Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma and the Election Commission has signed it. It is only for their political gains.

Will this affect the constituency of sitting MLAs and MPs?

Change in reservation status will affect the electorate of many sitting MLAs and MPs This could have an impact on the region. 

In Kaliabor constituency, a Congress bastion represented by MP Gaurav Gogoi, not only is there a proposal to change the boundary, but also to rename it. Is. According to the proposal, it will now be called Kaziranga. Several Muslim-majority areas have been shifted from the new Kaziranga constituency to neighboring Nagaon, which experts believe may adversely affect MP Gaurav Gogoi in the future.

The Muslim-majority Dhing constituency&nbsp ; At the assembly level, AIUDF has been a stronghold of MLA Aminul Islam for three consecutive terms. According to the new proposal, it will now be removed. 

While BJP minister Parimal Shuklabaidya’s Dholai constituency in Barak Valley has now been renamed as Narsingpur.  Its boundaries will be changed.

Congress’s sitting MLA Suman Haripriya will not be able to contest from Hajo seat in Kamrup district. Hajo seat to  ‘General’ will be changed to ‘SC’.

Both Hindu and Muslim groups in the Bengali-dominated districts of Barak Valley are also opposing the draft. There were three districts in the Barak Valley. Two seats have been reduced in the proposed draft. Bengali groups say this will shift Bengali representation in favor of Assamese.

Proposal to protect people’s aspirations – BJP

Ruling BJP The members have termed this proposal as a proposal to protect the aspirations of the ‘native’ people of Assam.  Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told reporters that the draft would secure “at least 102 constituencies” for the “Assamese”.

The party’s Rajya Sabha member Pavitra Margherita claimed the exercise was “constitutional and neutral’. He said, “We have no involvement in the delimitation process… But from the primary analysis we have seen that this particular delimitation will empower the indigenous people of Assam.

The Muslim majority in the constituencies will be "Less" Responding to opposition parties, Margherita called it a "false accusation" Told.  He said, ‘During the process, the Election Commission does not look at the caste, community, creed of any political party. That is why not only the MLAs of the opposition but the sitting MLAs of the ruling party have lost their seats.’

Why the Election Commission is delimiting

According to section 8A of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, the Election Commission has to delimit the parliamentary and assembly constituencies of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and Nagaland has the right to delimit.  This section says that if the President is not satisfied that the situation and the prevailing conditions in the states are conducive for delimitation, he can also cancel the order.

Under this section, the President can issued an order on February 28, 2020, stating that "Significant improvement in the security situation" allowing delimitation in all four states.

Why is the 2001 census being used?

Article 170 of the Constitution Accordingly, the population numbers used to draw the boundaries of the constituencies will be as per the 2001 census until the first census after 2026.