Sushmita Dev raises concerns over delimitation exercise in Assam, Questions impartiality of Election Commission

In a press conference held at Silchar today, Trinamool Congress (TMC) Member of Parliament Sushmita Dev voiced her apprehensions regarding the recently initiated delimitation exercise in Assam. Addressing the media in Silchar, Dev questioned the sudden resumption of the exercise after it was halted in 2008 and raised concerns over the motives behind the hurried delimitation process.

Dev pointed out that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had previously opposed delimitation in 2008, citing the incomplete National Register of Citizens (NRC) as a reason. She highlighted that the Constitution prohibits the readjustment of constituencies before 2026, leading her to question the urgency surrounding the current delimitation exercise.

“The Assam Chief Minister openly declared that delimitation has achieved what the Assam Accord and NRC could not,” stated Dev, expressing her doubts if the people included in the NRC are genuine citizens and whether the approximately 19 lakh individuals excluded from the list can appeal for citizenship. She emphasised that the situation regarding non-citizens in Assam remains uncertain. It maybe mentioned that the Registrar General of India is yet to issue a notification legalising NRC.

Dev also raised concerns about the Assam Chief Minister’s call to accept the delimitation exercise for protecting “jati.” The term “jati,” she remarked, lacked a definitive definition, leaving the question of which specific group the Chief Minister was referring to. She further highlighted the loss of two assembly seats for the people of Barak Valley, considering it a black day in the history of Assam.

Moreover, the TMC MP questioned whether the Election Commission of India had performed delimitation based on considerations of “jati,” insinuating a lack of impartiality. Dev criticised the Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma stating that he had transformed the Election Commission into Radcliffe, thereby casting doubts on its credibility and impartiality.

Appealing to the people of Barak Valley, Sushmita Dev urged them to set aside their political differences and unite against the perceived injustice. She warned that failing to stand up against the delimitation exercise this time would lead to irreversible consequences for Barak Valley.

The concerns raised by Sushmita Dev highlight the growing controversy surrounding the delimitation exercise in Assam and the need for transparency and inclusive decision-making in electoral processes.