Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha claims "Delimitation is an attempt to hack Barak Valley"; urges BJP leaders to join the agitation against proposals

In a press conference held today, Congress leader Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha made explosive allegations against the current government, accusing them of conspiring to “hack Barak Valley” through the delimitation process. The Congress leader revealed that the population of Barak Valley has significantly increased from 17 lakhs in 1976 to 45 lakhs at present, yet two seats have been reduced, raising concerns about fair representation.

Dey Purkayastha apprised journalists about a meeting of Silchar District Congress where they discussed the delimitation draft and announced their plan for a bandh as a form of protest. He criticised the Chief Minister of Assam, stating that he only seeks Bengali votes during elections and is now prioritising the interests of Khilonjiyas despite holding a constitutional post.

Accusing the people involved in delimitation process lacking geographical knowledge, Dey Purkayastha claimed that there is no continuity between the proposed constituencies, further questioning the legitimacy of the exercise. He also alleged that the delimitation was not conducted by the Election Commission but rather finalised behind closed doors in the Chief Minister’s bedroom.

Describing the resistance to the delimitation draft as a matter of Barak Valley’s existence, Dey Purkayastha appealed to BJP leaders to join the bandh in order to protect the region’s interests. He also suggested closing down BJP offices in Barak Valley, which he deemed useless, and instead, renting those spaces as shops for unemployed youths of Barak Valley as the government failed to provide jobs to them.

Following consultations with the Barak Democratic Front (BDF), Cachar Congress President Abhijit Paul announced a 12-hour Barak bandh scheduled for June 27, commencing from 5 am to 5 pm. The bandh aims to exert pressure on the government for fair representation of Barak Valley in the delimitation process.