AGP MLA resigns from party posts as protests erupt against delimitation

The political landscape of Assam stands changed after almost 37 years with the Election Commission of India publishing the delimitation of assembly and parliamentary constituencies. The redrawn seats and rechristening of seats have evoked sharp reactions across the political spectrum as many leaders will now have to start looking out for new seats.

Dissatisfied over the delimitation order in Assam, senior leader of Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and MLA from Amguri assembly constituency Pradip Hazarika resigned from all party posts and submitted his resignation letter to AGP president Atul Bora. AGP is an ally of the BJP-led government in Assam.

He was protesting the dissolution of the Amguri constituency. Hazarika has resigned from the post of party general secretary, member of the party's central committee and all other organisational responsibilities. The areas under Amguri are incorporated into the Nazira and Sibsagar Assembly constituencies. A group of people on Saturday protested against this exercise. A new constituency of Tihu has been created. Several people celebrated the move stating that their long-pending demand has been fulfilled.

Some protestors stripped off their shirts in Sibsagar to register their objection to the final delimitation report, while a Tiwa organisation voiced its opposition to it, claiming that its demand for reservation for the Morigaon seat has gone unheeded.

Opposition parties criticised the final delimitation report and termed it as a ploy by the ruling BJP to safeguard its political future soon after it was published.

Gaurav Gogoi posted on 'X': "Election Commission publishes delimitation of Assam in 2023 based on a 22-year old census. Hence, no benefit to Assam in terms of increase in Lok Sabha seats. The result is a reorganisation of existing seats to suit BJP voting trends. No wonder BJP doesn't want the CJI to select ECs."

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma claimed that the final notification has accepted some of the suggestions placed by the state government in line with the demands of the people.

AIUDF MLA Md. Aminul Islam said, "Due to the delimitation exercise, the number of seats in which Muslims can play a decisive role has decreased by nine. It seems the process was undertaken to benefit the Congress and the EC even disregarded a writ pending in the Supreme Court on the issue before announcing the final order".