Opposing the delimitation exercise in Assam, the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) has said they would move the Supreme Court.

Speaking on the issue of formation of a delimitation commission, AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal said the delimitation was being undertaken only to “suppress” a particular committee.

He added that things were still under observation and the AIUDF leaders were discussing the matter with some lawyers on how to proceed with the issue to the Supreme Court. He claimed that the AIUDF was ready to protest against delimitation.

Former chief minister Tarun Gogoi also claimed that the decision of delimitation was opposed by the Congress and said the process was being undertaken at an inappropriate time. He added that though the Centre had moved forward with the formation of the commission and had already appointed a chairman, the entire process would create an unwanted and unnecessary situation in the state as the preparations for the 2021 Assembly election process is just a couple of months away.

According to Gogoi, since another census is about to take place in 2021 and given that the delimitation process has to be based on the 2021 census report, delimitation with the 2011 census report will be a waste of money and energy as the government in any way will have to take into consideration the 2021 report again.

The last delimitation process was based on the 2001 census report.

Earlier, finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma endorsed the Centre’s decision for delimitation of constituencies in the state and said delimitation should be done while focusing on the interests of the indigenous people of the state.

Sarma said without proper delimitation of the constituencies of the state, the indigenous people of the state would remain vulnerable.

He said: “It is a welcome step by the Centre. But the delimitation should happen keeping the interest of the indigenous people of the state as a priority. There need not be any addition to the existing numbers of constituencies in the state but the delimitation should be done in such a manner that the political rights of the indigenous people are protected.” (See Page 11)

“The delimitation should be done so that out of 126 Assembly seats, at least 110 seats should be meant for the indigenous people of the state,” Sarma added.