Guwahati: Assam cabinet minister Ashok Singhal stated on Thursday that the Election Commission of India will examine the seat borders throughout the delimitation process even if the number of constituencies won’t change (ECI).
This follows a significant discussion on the delimitation process that numerous ministers from the Assam administration of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) attended earlier in the day at Minister Ashok Singhal’s residence.
According to reports, the meeting was attended by several leaders including Ranjeet Kumar Dass, Atul Bora, Phani Bhusan Choudhury.
Addressing reporters after the meeting, Housing and Urban Affairs and Irrigation Minister Ashok Singhal said, “The number of constituencies will not change. No new constituency will be added or existing constituencies will not be removed.”
He said, “The only changes that will take place will be regarding the constituency boundaries and their names. The matter has been taken up following instructions from the Supreme Court.”
“The changes in constituencies will happen before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. We cannot overlook directions of the Supreme Court,” added Singhal.
Speaking on the matter, cabinet minister Atul Bora said, “We welcome this decision and everything will go ahead according to plans.”
Bora said, “Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has given the responsibility to Ashok Singhal. In that regard, we sat with him to discuss the course of action.”
“The delimitation of constituencies is absolutely necessary. We cannot let external factors cause hindrances in this matter. The party has held this demand for a long time and we are finally getting it,” he added.
It should be mentioned that yesterday’s delineation of Assam’s Assembly and parliamentary constituencies was overseen by a 12-member committee appointed by Bhupen Borah, president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC).
The Election Commission of India (ECI) started the delimitation process in accordance with Section 8A of the RP Act, 1950, and the committee was established with the objective of maintaining a close check on the delimitation process.
According to reports, the committee will be headed by Congress Legislative Party’s Deputy Leader Rakibul Hussain.
Moreover, Pranati Phukan will serve as Convener and Bipul Gogoi will serve as Coordinator.
Other members of the committee are MLA Bharat Chandra Narah, MP Abdul Khaleque, Rana Goswami, Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha, Jakir Hussain Sikdar, Basanta Das, Ram Prasad Sharma, Dwijen Sharma and Durga Bhumij.