Kashmir Digits

The Delimitation Commission began their 4 day visit to J&K on Tuesday meeting all the political parties of the region, except for PDP.

 The political parties met the panel here at Grand Lalit hotel where they put forth their suggestions vis-à-vis the ongoing delimitation process.

Several delegations from political parties including National Conference (NC), Congress, Peoples Conference (PC), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), CPI (M), Apni Party, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) met the panel from 03:30 PM to 07:30 PM.

Meanwhile, National Conference (NC) leaders led by Abdul Rahim Rather met the panel and presented a memorandum wherein it has stated that delimitation exercise would be a credible effort in strengthening democracy only after full Statehood is restored to J&K.

Party’s provincial president, Nasir Aslam Wani told reporters that the exercise should have been at least delayed till the Supreme Court (SC) gives any verdict with regard to the petitions filed before it regarding 5 August 2019 decisions.

Soon after meeting the panel, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Chief, Ghulam Ahmad Mir told media persons that the party has made it clear during the meeting that it will utter anything until and unless the report compiled by the commission in last over one and a half year is presented to them.

Peoples Conference (PC) leader Khursheed Aalam told reporters that the party has told the panel that no steps should be taken that would further alienate the people of J-K. “Delimitation exercise should be done as per the population. Land, deserts and stones don’t need representation. It is the people who need representation and the decision should be taken as per the population. The report should be compiled on the basis of the 2011 census,” he said.

Apni Party leader, Rafi Ahmad Mir while sharing the details said that the party talked about apprehensions of people that the Commission has already made its decision and are now buying the time now. “The panel assured us that every suggestion will be taken seriously,” he said.

He added that the party was not happy with the delimitation exercise, but there is a need to put forth suggestions as staying away will not yield any result. “We also wanted the process to be stopped till 2026. But, as the process has begun, there is a need to put forth the suggestions in the interests of the people,” he said.

CPI (M) delegation led by its J&K Secretary, Ghulam Nabi Malik called on the panel and presented its viewpoint and stated that restoration of full statehood is must for any electoral exercise. The delegation has reiterated the party’s stand on 5 August, 2019 decisions.

Sofi Yousuf, who led a four-member delegation of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said that the party leaders have pitched for granting some constituencies in South Kashmir and Karnah, Tangdhar and other far-off areas to ST as the areas mostly have dwellers from similar community.