Srinagar (Jammu-Kashmir): Two years after the abrogation of Article 370, the centre had assured the people of the then state of the development in the region, however, neither the delimitation exercise has been completed nor the elections are being held.
Speaking to ETV Bharat, locals said that the delimitation should be completed soon so that elections are held and people in the union territory can get an accountable administration. "Today, we hardly expect anything from the central government because even before the abrogation of Article 370, they were not serious. The delimitation exercise should be completed soon so that there will be accountability," Issac Bhat, a resident said.
He further said that the delimitation will make the people hopeful. "At the moment, the bureaucracy is in a state of disarray and there is no one to listen to the grievances of the people."
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Senior journalist and political analyst Rashid Rahil is of the view that as far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, there were promises of developing the region. There was also a promise of strengthening the Accountability Commission. Little development has taken place. "There has been no demarcation exercise yet and there are many remote areas that have been cut off from the main town or city," he added.
On the other hand, many local political parties have been expressing fear that the Delimitation Commission will act against the Muslim majority in the region and will convert it into a political minority through gerrymandering of Muslim majority constituencies in Jammu, giving more seats to Jammu and reserving seats for special categories.
Though most of the politicians refused to comment on the issue citing various reasons, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura, general secretary of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) said, "The commission has no legal authority." He said that the decision taken on August 5 (2019) was unconstitutional and people of the region were humiliated. "Our party did not meet the delimitation commission in July. August 5 is a black day for Jammu and Kashmir. We want both the Articles to be restored and the Kashmir issue must be resolved by talking to all stakeholders," Hanjura added.
PDP was the only party that boycotted the meeting with the delimitation commission. NC, CPI, Congress and BJP met the commission and will be participating in the exercise too.
According to the National Conference leaders, Nasir Aslam Wani, Shamima Firdous and Abdul Rahim Rather met the commission in Srinagar. "They told the commission that the J&K Reorganization Act 2019 is unconstitutional and was enacted in disregard and violation of mandate and spirit of the Constitution of India and therefore not to be acted upon," a senior NC leader requesting anonymity said. He further said, "Our representatives informed the commission that the constitutional validity of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act 2019 has been challenged in the Supreme Court."
Earlier, delimitation in Jammu and Kashmir was expected to take place in the year 2026. However, due to the centre's decision of August 5, the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act 2019 came into force. And, as a result, the number of constituencies in the region increased from 87 to 90.
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Interestingly, the delimitation issue was discussed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with political leaders from Jammu and Kashmir on June 24 following which the Centre sought the completion of the delimitation exercise before assembly polls..
