The process for carrying out the delimitation of Assembly segments in J&K is provided within state’s own Constitution, and not the Constitution of India, Union government informed the Parliament on Wednesday.
“Jammu and Kashmir was not included within preview of the delimitation Act 2002 as Article 170 of Constitution of India that deals with delimitation of constituencies for State Legislative Assemblies has not been extended to the State (J&K),” Minister of State for Home Affairs, G Krishna Reddy told the RajyaSabha, in a written reply to a question over the subject.
The reply states that process for delimitation of Legislative Assembly seats in J&K is provided under sections 47 and 141 of Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Minister’s reply came in response to the question by MP RajyaSabha, Surendra Singh Nagar, from Samajwadi Party. Singh had asked the Centre to clarify its position over delimitation in J&K and road map in this regard.
The BharatiyaJanata Party has repeatedly raised the issue of delimitation or redrawing of Assembly segments in J&K, alleging that Kashmir was overrepresented in the Assembly, which, according to the party, has resulted in “marginalization” of Jammu and Ladakh.