AAP, Shiv Sena state stand against delimitation exercise
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 23 2025: Demanding conduct of the proposed delimitation exercise only after detection of illegal immigrants, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Manipur said that the prevailing unrest situation of Manipur would not be conducive for the delimitation exercise.

Addressing media persons at Manipur Press Club, here, Sunday, AAP Manipur coordinator Bishwanath Thingnam acknowledged the directive issued to conduct delimitation exercise in four North Eastern states including Manipur within three months.

AAP, Shiv Sena state stand against delimitation exercise

However, it is not advisable to go ahead with the said exercise in respect of Manipur till the issue of illegal immigrants is addressed, he said and reiterated party's demand for conducting delimitation exercise only after detection of non-bonafide settlers.

According to Bishwanath, it would be very hasty to conduct delimitation within three months and suggested that the initiative should have the consensus of leaders, intellectuals and NGOs of the state to avoid unwanted consequences.

That Article 10 (A) of the Delimitation Act, 2002 provides room for postponement of delimitation exercise must be understood by intellectuals, political parties and NGOs, he said and strongly called for postponement of the exercise in respect of Manipur in view of the prevailing situation.

As per a ruling of the Supreme Court, the Election Commission of India has taken up steps to link EPIC with Aadhaar but this exercise will give huge impact to parliamentary electoral politics.

Some political parties might get advantage from EPIC-Aadhaar linkage but going ahead with the process without proper verification would be perilous for Manipur, he said adding that AAP will lodge a complaint in this regard to the ECI.

AAP, Shiv Sena state stand against delimitation exercise

Regarding the ongoing crisis, the AAP leader said onus is on the Centre to resolve the violence.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena Manipur president M Tombi has said that delimitation exercise in Manipur should be conducted only after detection and identification of the huge abnormal population growth in both hills and valley of the state.

Addressing media persons at Shiv Sena state office at Babupara, M Tombi said delimitation exercise in Manipur is inevitable and Shiv Sena welcomes the directive of the Supreme Court.

However, the exercise should be conducted only after deletion of those enrolled in the electoral rolls on the sly.

Population of Manipur increased more than 10 lakh from 1991 to 2021 and this abnormal increase should be looked into with all seriousness, he said and stressed the need for conducting NRC before delimitation exercise.