A CORRESPONDENT
SILCHAR: The people of Barak Valley are extremely happy with the recent delimitation, claimed Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Speaking to the media after a hectic day of a series of inauguration and foundation stone-laying programmes, Sarma said that people here are extremely happy at the way the recent delimitation has been done as they understand that 'our men' will win at least 10 Assembly segments from now on instead of the previous six.
The recent delimitation chopped off two Assembly segments from the Barak Valley. Previously, the Barak Valley had 15 Assembly seats, which have now been reduced to 13. The draft delimitation triggered much protest in the Valley, and even the ruling party leaders expressed their dissatisfaction over the delimitation. However, after the process got the final seal of approval from the President of India, the protest seemed to have died down.
Hence, a visibly confident Chief Minister claimed that he could perceive a sense of jubilation among the common people regarding the way the delimitation had been done.
Reacting to a question regarding the demand for separate Barak, as raised by a section over the delimitation, Sarma said that if the majority of the people of Barak Valley wanted separate land, then the government would definitely consider the demand. "But the people of Barak Valley en masse have to raise the demand that they want separation; they do not want to stay together with Assam; only then could the demand be discussed. But if a few left-minded people try to manipulate such a demand as the voice of the people, the government will not pay any attention to it. So far, as I understand, the common people of Barak Valley always consider themselves an integral part of Assam, and we too reciprocate their view," Sarma elaborated.
The delimitation has left the Karimganj Lok Sabha seat unreserved for the first time since Independence. Karimganj Lok Sabha seat, comprising the bordering district as well as Hailakandi district, seemed to be a big challenge for the BJP as Muslims outnumber Hindu voters by at least 1.75 lakh votes. However, Sarma is confident that the BJP will definitely retain both seats in Barak Valley. The Chief Minister said it would take a few months more to finalize the names of the candidates.
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