GoI likely to add more members as NC MP’s stay away from process
Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Srinagar, June 25: First meeting of the newly constituted delimitation commission would take place soon to set the ball rolling for the much awaited exercise so that polls are held in the J&K Union Territory.
Sources claimed that the Government of India has also shortlisted names of few more members for the commission to make it vibrant and transparent. The step was taken after National Conference party’s three MPs who were nominated as the members of the delimitation commission, dragged their feet and decided to stay away from the exercise on the pretext that taking part in the process will amount to accepting all developments that unfolded post August 5 last year.
On March 7, Government of India announced a delimitation commission for J&K, Assam, Aurunachal Pradesh and Manipur. From BJP MoS in Prime Minister’s Office Dr Jitendera Singh and MP Jugal Kishore were announced as members while as from NC Dr Farooq Abdullah, Muhammad Akbar Lone and Justice (Rtd) Hasnain Masoodi were also nominated as members.
With NC MPs deciding not to take part in the exercise, the Government of India in consultation with the Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided to appoint few more members to the Delimitation Commission.
Reliable sources told KINS that the names of few more members will be announced soon while as first meeting of the commission will take place in Jammu region in days ahead.
Pertinently, top BJP leaders that include party’s J&K Affairs Incharge and national vice president Avinash Rai Khanna and BJP General Secretary (Organisation) Ashok Koul last week had said that they would like the Delimitation Commission to keep the population, topography, geography and area in mind while making recommendations. “Our motive is to end regional balance,” they had said.
Sources, the first meeting of the commission will discuss how to ensure equal distribution of assembly seats among the two regions. As per the re-organisation act of J&K 2019, Ladakh UT will have no Assembly while J&K UT will have an Assembly after elections but prior to elections delimitation exercise was a must.
A senior BJP leader said that for holding polls, Delimitation of assembly seats was a must. “We are sure that a political process will be started soon after the delimitation exercise will be completed ” he said, wishing not to be named.(KINS)
