Ruling BTC, alliance satisfied with delimitation proposals

 OUR CORRESPONDENT

KOKRAJHAR: The publication of draft delimitation of constituencies in the BTR has drawn mixed reactions among the Bodo leaders as the ruling party of BTC and its alliance have expressed satisfaction over the delimitation. The opposition evoked a mixed reaction.

Chief Executive Member (CEM) of BTR and UPPL president Pramod Boro said the draft delimitation of constituencies in the BTC region was satisfied as the people of the council have had an opportunity to send their representation. He thanked the Election Commission of India (ECI) for retaining the reservation of the Kokrajhar Lok Sabha seat for ST. He also said the Assembly constituencies in BTC have also been increased to 15 from 12, which is praiseworthy. He hoped that the people of the region would have the opportunity to send their representatives to the state Assembly.

Minister UG Brahma also expressed happiness over the draft delimitation and said the prestigious tribal seat of Kokrajhar has been retained as ST reserved, besides increasing the number of LACs in the BTC area. MLA Lawrence Islary also echoed the same and said the draft delimitation was as desired by the UPPL and the people of the region. He said some sections of leaders misled the people before the publication of the draft delimitation, saying that Kokrajhar ST reserved seats and some LACs would be de-reserved. He also said the draft delimitation has proven that the UPPL has been doing the right thing.

Meanwhile, the former Deputy Chief of BTC and vice president of BPF, Kampa Borgoyari, said the party was not fully satisfied with the draft delimitation. He said there had been two Parliamentary seats reserved for ST in BTC-Kokrajhar and Udalguri, comprising the LACs of Baksa and Udalguri, but only Kokrajhar is retained as a seat reserved for ST. He also said the increase in LACs was right, but Udalguri should have been reserved for ST to ensure the political rights of indigenous tribal people. He also said the BPF will move the Election Commission to declare Udalguri as reserved for ST.

Former Lok Sabha MP Sansuma Khunggur Bwiswmuthiary said retaining Kokrajhar HPC reserved for ST was a matter of praise, but he was not satisfied with Udalguri HPC remaining unreserved in the draft delimitation. He demanded that Udalguri be reserved for ST. He also said they would file a PIL with the Gauhati High Court if necessary.

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