Delimitation draft a mere political agenda: Leader of Oppn Debabrata Saikia

By Bikram Sarkar

The delegation of the United Opposition Forum, headed by Congress Legislature Party Leader Debabrata Saikia, which is on a 2-day visit to the Barak Valley, held discussions with more than 20 organizations in Silchar over the ECI’s delimitation draft proposal.

The delegation, which includes MLA Rokibul Hussain, AJP Leader Lurin Jyoti Gogoi, and MP Ajit Bhuiya, among others, held similar meetings on Sunday in Karimganj and Hailakandi.

Notably, the organizations in Silchar submitted their grievances in the form of a memorandum, following which all leaders unanimously decided to come forward against the proposed delimitation draft.

Speaking to Northeast Live, Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia termed the draft proposal a mere political agenda.

He said that as per the 2001 population census, the delimitation was done in 2002, where 15 seats were held for Barak Valley for representation, but this time the Government has played with people’s beliefs and reduced the seats to 13.

Saikia stated that in the NRC, 19 lakh Hindu Bengalis were exempted, moreover, the NRC results are not yet out.

How come, without having the actual population list for this proposed delimitation draft been issued, Debbrata Saikia questioned and termed it a political agenda.

When asked about the party’s stand on UCC, Saikia said that it’s going to hamper many ethnic communities in the entire country and also impact the minorities, and if they have to implement UCC, the committee needs to have consent from all parties, which they don’t have, and they do not support UCC at all.

Lurin Jyoti Gogoi, AJP leader, said that they are holding meetings in different parts of Assam, and in Barak Valley, and have noticed that the people are not happy with the decision and are opposing it.

On AAP not in the list of opposition parties, Gogoi said that they were earlier together in many movements against government policies, but in this AAP, they are not with them because they may have other agendas.

Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha MP Ajit Bhuiya said that the United Opposition Forum was formed not just to protest or oppose the delimitation proposed draft but also to fight together strongly against the BJP in the upcoming 2024 and 2026 elections, as it will not be possible to fight alone in the elections against the BJP.

He also added that though the High Court became the puppets of the BJP, they will submit their complaints against the delimitation proposed draft.

Also Read: Assam: Extortion racket running in name of KLO and BLA in BTR busted, 7 arrested