Opposition leaders condemn delimitation at Silchar meeting, Accuse BJP of political manipulation

In a significant meeting held today in Silchar, various opposition leaders from different political parties united under the banner of Birodhi Oikko Moncho to express their vehement opposition to the proposed delimitation plans. The meeting, attended by prominent figures such as MP Ajit Bhuyan, Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia, Deputy Leader Rakibul Hussain, AJP President Lurinjyoti Gogoi, Trinamool Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Deb, MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha, Khalil Uddin Majumder, Misbahul Islam Laskar and numerous representatives from several parties and organisations, aimed to highlight the potential adverse impact on the common people if the delimitation draft were to be implemented.

During the event, Rakibul Hussain made a startling allegation, claiming that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited Dhubri and, sensing anti-incumbency against Badaruddin Ajmal, covertly orchestrated the addition of two constituencies from Barpeta to Dhubri in collaboration with officials. This accusation fueled the already charged atmosphere at the meeting.

MP Ajit Bhuyan, in his address, declared that the people of Barak and Brahmaputra Valley would respond to this delimitation by submerging the BJP government in the rivers of Barak and Brahmaputra during the upcoming elections. Bhuyan criticised the delimitation draft, asserting that it had been published without consulting the people, and proclaimed that the BJP’s ambitions for 2024 and 2026 elections would never come to fruition.

Lurinjyoti Gogoi, the General Secretary of Birodhi Oikko Moncho, criticised Himanta Biswa Sarma, urging the people of Barak to unite against the delimitation process led by him. Gogoi contended that delimitation was not a protective measure for indigenous communities but a means to dismantle their political power. He claimed that the reduction of assembly seats from 15 to 13 in Barak Valley aimed to divide the region’s residents and undermine their aspirations.

Opposition Leader Debabrata Saikia accused the Election Commission of preparing the delimitation draft under the influence of Himanta Biswa Sarma to secure his political future. Saikia questioned the government’s claims of fighting corruption while syndicates continued to emerge.

MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha emphasised that the battle against delimitation was a matter of survival for the people of Barak Valley and criticised BJP leaders from the region as being spineless.

Trinamool Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Deb appealed to the people of Barak to unite during this critical “agnipariksha” (trial by fire) or risk the destruction of the region.

Additionally, numerous organisations from Cachar submitted their objections regarding the delimitation to representatives of Birodhi Oikko Moncho, further underscoring the widespread discontent with the proposed plans.