The difficulties deep-rooted in redrawing of Jammu and Kashmir by the Delimitation Commission continue, with a second draft following talks additionally running into protests. Non-BJP parties have criticized the changes as recommended by the BJP.
The difficulties deep-rooted in redrawing of Jammu and Kashmir by the Delimitation Commission continue, with a second draft following talks additionally running into protests. According to its second draft report, shared on February 24 with its five members. The council has advised that in place of Poonch haveli, the Rajouri Assembly seat be reserved for STs which was earlier proposed. While SC-reserved status for Suchetgarh, instead of its merger with R S Pura and Bishnah. Habba Kadal constituency, restoration of Srinagar’s with its sizeable Kashmiri Pandit migrant voters. While renaming the newly proposed Mughal Maidaan as Inderwal.
Instead of this, the commission has redrawn the boundaries of some new seats in both the Jammu and Kashmir divisions.
Firdous Tak, PDP spokesperson said the changes “give credence to our apprehensions that the Commission is working at the behest of BJP”
Other than BJP parties have criticized the changes as it was recommended by the BJP. Vikram Malhotra, Apni Party spokesperson said “the BJP got everything done for its political convenience”. Ravinder Sharma, Congress chief spokesperson said, “the Delimitation Commission has done dissection instead of delimitation”.
The recommendation to not reserve Poonch Haveli for STs go after all-around protests in the constituency. As the constituency is largely populated by people of origin from Kashmir only at such a change. Looking to the constituency’s population it comprised 36.60% tribals. Shifting of the ST status to Rajouri — in fact, only 33.84% of its population is tribal. Now, the panel has recommended adding Doongi, Fatehpur and Bagla from the advised Thanamandi constituency. And it would take Rajouri’s tribal numbers to 37.18% of the population. Thanamandi would also be ST reserved as per the Delimitation Commission.
Edited by- Subbuthai Padma
Published by- Radhika. N
