CPI(M) Opposes Delimitation of Constituencies in Assam
THE Assam state committee of the CPI (M), on March 27, has submitted a memorandum to the chief election commissioner and other members of the ECI who are on a visit to the state in connection with the proposed delimitation of parliamentary and assembly constituencies in Assam.
The five member CPI(M) delegation comprising state secretary Suprakash Talukdar, Central Committee member Isfaqur Rahman, Party MLA Manoranjan Talukdar, state secretariat members Ajit Das and Nayan Bhuyan submitted the memorandum, raising concerns regarding the delimitation of constituencies in the state of Assam. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided to initiate the delimitation exercise of assembly and parliamentary constituencies in the state of Assam based on the census figures of 2001. The last delimitation of constituencies in the state was conducted in 1976 based on the census figures of 1971. The union ministry of law and justice has requested the ECI to conduct the delimitation exercise.
CONCERNS RAISED BY CPI(M)
The CPI(M) notes that delimitation on the basis of 2001 census figures would be irrational and meaningless, given the substantial growth in population since then. The population of the state has increased from a little over 1.46 crores in 1976 to 2.66 crores in 2001, and 3.12 crores in 2011, with a decadal growth rate of about 17 per cent in the last two decades. The projected population for Assam in 2023 is 3.66 crores. Therefore, using census figures from 2001 for delimitation would not serve the purpose and would be unjust and unfair.
The CPI(M) also believes that the delimitation on the basis of 2001 census may serve the interests of the ruling party at the centre and state of Assam, but would defeat the main objectives and purpose of delimitation. The re-merger of four districts by the Assam government with the districts from which they have been carved out has an ill-intended and evil design. These four districts – Hojai, Biswanath Chariali, Bajali and Tamulpur – were hastily dissolved just hours before the ban imposed by the ECI on creating new administrative units from January 1, 2023 came into force.
The memorandum also noted that the state government had abruptly transferred more than 100 revenue villages, including various revenue circles, development blocks, municipal bodies and town committees, from one district to another, which involved 14 districts. “What is more surprising is the fact that certain revenue villages were also transferred to BTAD areas at a time when a commission formed by the Assam government has been functioning to redraw the boundary of the BTAD as per Bodo Peace Accord signed by the centre and state governments with the ABSU and others on January 27, 2020,” the memorandum said.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The CPI(M) suggests that a Delimitation Commission should formed under the relevant Act, to carry out the delimitation exercise. The formation of such a commission will help in eliciting views and opinions of all the stakeholders, including political parties, for redrawing the assembly and parliamentary constituencies in a meaningful way.
The CPI(M) further suggests that the present constituencies should continue and the delimitation exercise be deferred at least till 2026 or later. The boundaries of assembly and parliamentary constituencies in Assam can be redrawn along with other states in accordance with the provisions of the 84th Amendment to the Constitution. The number of seats reserved for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes may be refixed accordingly as per constitutional provisions.
