Congress welcomes delimitation proposals

New Delhi, Jan 11 (UNI) The Congress today welcomed implementation of the delimition proposals of the central government, saying they would rectify the historical imbalances affecting "aam aadmi" and give more electoral role to the suppressed classes.

The new boundaries, according to AICC Spokesman Abishek Manu Singhvi, were bound to reflect the true picture of the Congress as a truly pan-Indian party.

" The Congress always stood for meaningful electoral reforms. We are enthused about the delimitation proposal because they seek to rectifying historical imbalances affecting aam aadmi, Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), the two vulnerable sections of the society," he said.

Dr Singhvi said the Congress believed that any measure, constitutional, economic, social and electoral, which benefitted the SC and the ST and restore them their true place in society, should be promoted and encouraged.

The new delimitation proposal would give more electoral role to the suppressed classes.

"Redistributing constituencies would alllow those other classes whose numerical strength justifies their participation in democracy to be more involved in electoral politics," Dr Singhvi said.

A more representative body not only reflected diverse democracy, it also reflected more clearly inclusive democracy and social justice, he added.

When his attention was drawn to the Opposition of some of the ruling UPA coalition partners to the delimitation, he said he could only speak about the stand of the Congress, which unequivocally welcomed the exercise. "Delimitation is an exercise which is done according to constitutional provisions," he said.

Asked about the displeasure expressed by some Congress leaders over the delimitation in some states, Dr Singhvi said, "Let me emphasise that the Congress see it in the national interests and in all India perspective. We don't consider individual predelictions." Dr Singhvi said it was going to benefit the SC and the ST in many ways at the national level. Accurately defining the boundaries would help to ensure more electoral participation.

At the assembly level, there are sections whose numerical strength justified their participation in the electoral process.

Asked if the delimitated boundaries had anything to do with the Sachar Panel recommendations, Dr Singhvi said the Delimitation Commission had begun work even before the Sachar recommendations were made public. Therefore, there would not be any link between the two. However, the government would look into each and every aspect of the Sachar recommendations. "They are being processed." Replying to a query, he said the Congress was confident that the Karnataka assembly elections would be held on the basis of the the delimited boundaries.

UNI SH MS AS1922