Abdur Rashid Mandal, who represents Goalpara West in the legislative assembly, alleged that the ruling party in the state was depriving Muslims of government benefits.
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — The delimitation exercise being carried out by the Election Commission in Assam is a mere tactic to target the Muslims in the state, Congress MLA Abdur Rashid Mandal has said.
“This (delimitation) exercise is a clear and flagrant violation of the Constitution and the laws of the land. It is a ploy to target the Muslims in Assam. Why are Muslims being singled out this way? Are they not Indian citizens? Are they not paying taxes to the government? What is it that qualifies one to be an Indian citizen? We demand that the BJP comes up with answers to these questions,” the legislator was quoted by Pratidin Time as saying.
Mandal, who represents Goalpara West in the legislative assembly, alleged that the ruling party in the state was depriving Muslims of government benefits. “However, the Muslims aren’t bothered as they are hardworking people and can take care of themselves and their families. However, these are basic rights being denied by the BJP. Why are we being deprived of our constitutional rights?”
He claimed that as part of the ongoing delimitation exercise, more assembly constituencies were being carved out in districts that have a relatively lesser concentration of Muslims.
“The representation in the assembly is being reduced in districts that are home to a sizeable concentration of Muslims. Districts that the Muslims inhabit in relatively lesser numbers are being allotted more assembly segments. Barpeta district, which is entitled to eight assembly constituencies, is proposed to be allotted six. Darrang, which deserves four constituencies, is being given three, while Karimganj is being allotted four segments instead of 4. Hailakandi is entitled to three assembly constituencies but is being given two while Dhubri is getting five constituencies instead of six. Similarly, Morigaon is entitled to four seats but is being given three while Nagaon is being allocated 10 instead of 11 constituencies,” he added.
The population of each constituency in Barpeta district, on average, is about 2.73 lakh. Why are non-Muslim districts being allotted more constituencies? the legislator asked.
He said the West Karbi Anglong district, with a population of only 2.47 lakh, has been allotted two seats. In Golaghat district, the average population in each constituency is only 1.89 lakh. In Lakhimpur, the average population in each segment is 1.77 lakh. Yet they have been allotted more seats, the report quoted him as saying.
“This exercise is aimed merely at fulfilling the vested interests of the BJP and the RSS. We have moved the Supreme Court challenging this exercise,” the Congress MLA said.
