Resistance from some political parties over implementation of the report of the delimitation commission notwithstanding, the first election in redrawn constituencies as per the panel?s recommendations could be held as early as in a few months time, when Karnataka goes for Assembly polls.
By approving implementation of the delimitation commission?s report at a meeting of the Cabinet committee on political affairs (CCPA) on Thursday night, the UPA has government has sought to send clear signals that it will not come in the way of holding forthcoming elections in delimited constituencies. UPA managers on Friday asserted that there was a view emerging now that the Assembly polls in Karnataka should be held on redrawn constituencies, so that the UPA is not charged with holding up its implementation. The Supreme Court has already questioned the delay in implementation of delimitation in 25 states for which notifications have already been issued by the commission.
The BJP and the Left parties have maintained that they are in favour of an early notification to implement the commission?s report. Government managers, however, pointed out that much would depend on when elections in Karnataka are notified and the cushion time given by the election commission. The government will not only need time to make the electorate aware of changes, but even the commission will need sufficient time to prepare fresh electoral rolls on the basis of freshly delimited constituencies.
The delimitation report has posed problems for the UPA as some of its close allies like the RJD and the JMM had expressed unhappiness, forcing the Congress leadership to set up a GoM under Pranab Mukherjee to look into contentious issues. Political leaders individually too have raised objections as the exercise has increased the number of scheduled caste and scheduled tribe parliamentary seats at the cost of general seats.
The commission, headed by Justice Kuldip Singh, has submitted its report in respect of 25 states covering over 513 Lok Sabha constituencies.
