STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has raised the demand for deferment of the proposed delimitation of Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies in Assam. Saying that the move for delimitation of constituencies in the State is aimed at BJP's political benefits, Congress asserted that such an exercise should be conducted in the State only after the 2021 Census, which is close at hand.
Talking to reporters on Monday, APCC president Ripun Bora said, "Barring Assam and a few other States, the delimitation exercise was conducted in all over India in 2005. That delimitation exercise was based on the 2001 Census report. According to rules, delimitation of constituencies is done with the immediate census report, and 2021 Census is close at hand. Any delimitation exercise before the 2021 census report will be a futile exercise and waste of funds as such an exercise will have to be done afresh after the publication of the 2021 Census report. The BJP favours such an exercise for its political benefits."
Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia said, "The number of both Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies will be increased in 2026. Won't it be better to go for the delimitation exercise in 2026 along with the exercise to increase constituencies? The delimitation of constituencies now will be waste of funds as the 2026 exercise for increasing the number of constituencies will undo the delimitation to be done now. How come such an exercise is aimed only for the BJP's political interest? Even the NRC (National Register of Citizens) isn't complete in Assam."
Also watch: Evening Bulletin | 8th June, 2020