Delimitation Commission Listens To Array of Things As Political Parties Speak

Delimitation Commission arrived Kashmir

On four day visit, Delimitation Commission arrived in Kashmir around the afternoon of July 6 to give shape to a Centre’s promise of initiating a political process in J&K by conducting delimitation exercise followed by assembly election and then restoration of statehood, which was demanded by the majority of regional political parties of UT during their meeting with PM Narendra Modi on June 24.

The commission met with J&K’s different political parties and other stakeholders ahead of compiling a report to redraw constituencies mandated after the J&K Reorganization Act 2019 in order to conduct the assembly election.

The last time delimitation exercise was carried out in 1995 in J&K on the basis of demographic change. However, following the 95’s, another exercise was put off till 2026 by the state assembly, but conducting the same before the due date has sown seeds of doubt in many leaders’ minds, especially Omar Abdullah of the National Conference out rightly questioning the move recently before the media.

Nonetheless, the commission went on with its task, composed of former Supreme Judge Ranjana Prakash Desai, Chief Election Commissioner of India Sushil Chandra and State Election Commissioner KK Sharma, besides other members.

With various political parties of J&K showing their willingness to meet the delimitation commission and selecting their respective team of leaders, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Awami National Conference (ANC) reflected quite the opposite.

Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura, General Secretary of PDP, said on behalf of the party that “There are apprehensions that the delimitation exercise is part of the overall process of political disempowerment of the people of J&K that the Government of India has embarked on.”

Party further said that they do not want to hurt the people’s interests as the commission’s outcome is preplanned and is therefore staying away from the process.

PDP saw itself not alone as Awami National Conference (ANC) too followed suit. Muzzafar Shah said that the core committee of the party had decided that it is not necessary to meet the delimitation committee because it was constituted after the Reorganisation Act 2019, which was challenged by us all in the Supreme Court and therefore is sub-judice. He said that the delimitation is a democratic exercise and does not have any problem with it. He also implicitly stated that J&K’s different situation at present is not suitable for holding the exercise.

However, the regional parties like NC, INC, JKPC, CPI(M), Apni Party, JKNPP, BJP besides others met the delimitation commission and presented their point of view before them.

Indian National Congress State President Ghulam Ahmad Mir said that they were invited by the delimitation commission which was decided by the party members and was responded to by them. “We put forth our stand before the commission and told them that to show us an outline they have made from 1.6 years, regarding J&K. Congress party would be unable to say something without the showing of the outline they have made and we cannot give any suggestion or raise objection in its absence,” said Mir.

National Conference Provincial President, Jammu, Devender Singh Rana said that they presented a memorandum before the delimitation commission and requested them to do justice with J&K and especially Jammu’s outlying areas so that every person from J&K’s any part would get equal rights in a democracy.

“We told the commission that Jammu should get its rights and for which we pleaded and the same was listened to by them,” said Rana, adding that they requested the commission to take their decision impartially.

Communist Party of India (Marxist) Secretary Ghulam Nabi Malik said that their team conveyed to the commission that the report which they would compile should be credible so that it generates trust. “We told them that the report should be in line with the aspirations of the people and they also promised to take an opinion of the people before making a final report,” Malik said.

He further said they apprised the commission that the August 5, 2019 decision was unacceptable and also demanded for restoration of full statehood then holding of election here. “We told the commission that it is your responsibility that the reports which you compile should not be a cause of communal or regional division rather a way to unite the people,” said Malik.

J&K Peoples Conference (JKPC) Mansoor Pirz said that they met the delimitation commission for around 30 minutes and presented the party stance. “When we left the meeting, we were satisfied. They assured us that if there are any apprehensions or rumours rounding outside nothing of such would happen and everything would be done as per law and constitution,” said Pir.

Apni Party’s Vice President Chowdhary Zulfikar Ali talking to reporters said that they had a team of five members who met the commission and apprised them about J&K’s geographic and present saturation position. “We told them that the delimitation exercise should be completed as soon as possible so that an election would be held.”

Ali further said that they also told the commission to visit different other areas and listen to more stakeholders that they could get aware about the ground realities.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Ravinder Raina after the meeting said that their party kept every single thing from 1947 to till date before the delimitation commission. “We told them that 1995’s delimitation exercise was erroneous, resulting in a power imbalance and increasing problems. We requested them to keep in view all six points on the basis of which delimitation is carried and among which one and last is population,” said Raina, adding that besides population other five points should also be given a consideration.

He further said that they requested the commission to defreeze the (8) seats, out of 24 kept for PoJK, and reserve them in favour of the internally displaced. “For Kashmir Pandits, we asked that three seats — one in North, one in South and one in Central Kashmir — should be kept reserved for them in the valley. However, justice to be done for Dalits in J&K on the basis of their population was also raised in the meeting, said Raina. “We also demanded for the political reservation of ST as the same is followed in the whole country,” Raina added.

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