Cong against delimitation based on 2001 census
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 27 2020: Delimitation based on 2001 census will not be allowed in the State, said ex-Chief Minister and Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader Okram Ibobi today.

During a press conference at Congress Bhavan today, the CLP leader said the delimitation should be deferred till the year 2026.Asserting that the party can't apprehend the reason for Centre's plan to conduct delimitation for the States of Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Jammu and Kashmir, O Ibobi said Congress has been vocal against delimitation based on the 2001 census.

Ibobi claimed that the 2001 census detected "abnormal" growth in the population in many districts/places.

While many of the districts recorded about 15 percent growth, some recorded 150-200 percent growth.

The Congress Government at that time had called a meeting of political parties and sent a team to appeal Prime Minister and Home Minister not to conduct delimitation.

The Centre tried to conduct delimitation involving Court and Congress had opposed it, he said.

He further asserted that "if we fail to understand and face the delimitation in time, there would be chaos in the State" .

The party opposes delimitation based on 2001 census but this doesn't mean it is against any community, CSO or ECI (Election Commission of India), he added.

When the whole country including the State is facing COVID-19 issue, the Centre and the State Government should not kick up another issue in the form of delimitation, he said urging both the Centre and State not to conduct delimitation.

If the Governments plan to carry out delimitation despite opposition from many corners, the Centre as well as the State Government must first assure that the State's integrity, boundary and unity will remain intact, Ibobi said.

Further, the Centre and State Government must assure that the delimitation will not alter the existing structure of the 60 Assembly Constituencies (ACs) .

However, the delimitation may increase the number of seats (MLA) for AC concerned according to its population size, he said.

The delimitation, however, may not alter the structure of the districts, Assembly Constituencies by way of increasing or shedding their area (jurisdiction), he added.

Suggesting ways to carry out the delimitation, on Parliamentary Constituencies, Ibobi said, to solve the issue facing the people of 8 valley ACs where they can vote but can't contest elections, the 40 valley ACs may be divided into two PCs (Parliamentary Constituencies) with 20 ACs on each side while reserving the PC (one seat) consists of 20 ACs for hills.

"These are only suggestions, the party has no authority over the delimitation," he added.

MPCC (Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee) president M Okendra, AICC (All India Congress Committee) CWC member Gaikhangam and other party leaders were present.

Comment