Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Srinagar, Sep 14 (KINS): A first visit of the delimitation commission to the Jammu and Kashmir Union territory is to take place soon to set the ball rolling for the much awaited exercise so that polls are held in the J&K Union Territory.
The Delimitation Commission was set up to ‘redraw’ J&K’s assembly constituencies.
Sources had told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) that the commission has completed data collection and is now preparing a framework to carve out assembly constituencies.
Sources said that after completing its report, the commission will visit J&K to seek views of political parties and people (on it).
Sources said that the first visit of the commission will discuss how to ensure equal distribution of assembly seats among the two regions.
As per the reorganisation act of J&K 2019, Ladakh UT will have no Assembly while J&K UT will have an Assembly after elections but prior to elections delimitation exercise was a must.
National Conference party’s three MPs who were nominated as the members of the delimitation commission, had dragged their feet and decided to stay away from the exercise on the pretext that taking part in the process will amount to accepting all developments that unfolded post August 5 last year.
Sources said that it will be interesting to see if the Government of India in consultation with the Election Commission of India will add more members for the commission to make it vibrant and transparent.
On March 7, Government of India announced a delimitation commission for J&K, Assam, Aurunachal Pradesh and Manipur. From BJP MoS in Prime Minister’s Office Dr Jitendera Singh and MP Jugal Kishore were announced as members while as from NC Dr Farooq Abdullah, Muhammad Akbar Lone and Justice (Rtd) Hasnain Masoodi were also nominated as members.
Top BJP leaders that include party’s J&K Affairs Incharge and national vice president Avinash Rai Khanna and BJP General Secretary (Organisation) Ashok Koul had told KINS that they would like the delimitation commission to keep the population, topography, geography and area in mind while making recommendations. “Our motive is to end regional balance,” they had said.
A senior BJP leader said that for holding polls, delimitation of assembly seats was a must. “We are sure that a political process will be started soon after the delimitation exercise will be completed” he said, wishing not to be named. (KINS)
Delimitation Commission to visit JK soon, ‘NC MPs to stay away from process’, will GoI add more members?
