Assam: Delimitation exercise meaningless without NRC, claims Congress leader Debabrata Saikia

Opposing the initiation of delimitation exercise in Assam, Congress leader Debabrata Saikia said that back then in 2008 the delimitation exercise was stalled and deferred in Assam on the basis of a ‘situation which had arisen that the unity and integrity of the country was likely to be threatened and there was a serious threat to peace and public order’. 

"The situation was no different today.", he said.

"We all know many Indians were left out of the process while there are allegations of foreigners’ being included in the list,” he added. 

Debabrata Saikia stated that the delimitation exercise which will be carried out on the census of 2001 will raise complications and will be flawed as the NRC is not complete.  

“With NRC completion still pending and the fate of those who were excluded still uncertain, delimitation will create more complications.”, Saikia said. 

“We suspect that the ruling parties are trying to gain some political advantage ahead of Assembly elections through this exercise,” he said. 

" I don't think the delimitation exercise will benefit the people of Assam." , he added. 

Notably , The Election Commission of India on December 27 initiated delimitation of Assembly and Parliamentary constituencies in Assam as per Section 8A of the RP Act, 1950.

The Census figures of 2001 will be used for the purpose of readjustment of Assembly Constituencies and Parliamentary Constituencies in the state.

Earlier on December 14, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in an exclusive interview with India TodayNE had said that the delimitation process would start within a month in Assam.

The CM had said that delimitation of the assembly constituency is the entry door to implement Clause 6 in Assam.

Election Commissioners Anup Chandra Pandey and Arun Goel directed the Chief Electoral Officer of Assam to take up the matter with the state government to issue complete ban on the creation of new administrative units, w.e.f. January 1, 2023 till the completion of the delimitation exercise in the state.As mandated under Article 170 of the Constitution, census figures (2001) shall be used for the purpose of readjustment of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies in the State. Reservation of seats for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes will be provided as per Articles 330 & 332 of the Constitution of India.

The Commission will design and finalize its own guidelines and methodology for the purpose of delimiting the constituencies.