Delimitation benefits tribals in MP

Bhopal, Oct 21 (UNI) Having forced several political leaders to redraw their poll strategy, delimitation exercise in Madhya Pradesh has benefitted tribal leaders with the increase in the number of assembly seats reserved for scheduled tribes and reduction in the number of general seats.

In the 231-member state assembly, including one nominated Anglo-Indian, the number of assembly seats reserved for scheduled tribes had increased from 41 to 47.

On the other hand, the number of assembly seats for scheduled castes had increased by one from 34 to 35, while the number of general seats had come down from 155 to 148.

State election office sources told UNI here that more than 50 seats had been affected directly due to delimitation process.

Fresh demarcation has affected area, population, demography and other profiles in 209 seats, while 21 seats remain unaffected.

Political observers feel that political leaders had been closely observing the delimitation exercise -- held after 1976 in 2007 -- and had been preparing electoral strategy afresh keeping this in mind to nullify the effects of delimitation.

The delimitation exercise has directly affected 29 general seats with six assembly seats disappearing, while 10 seats being reserved for scheduled tribes and 13 seats being reserved for scheduled castes.

Besides, of the 12 scheduled caste seats, 10 had been converted into general seats and two into scheduled tribe seats. Of the eight tribal seats, three have been made general seats and one SC seat, while four seats have disappeared.

Change in areas and profiles of several constituencies has forced political leaders representing them to work hard. However, these leaders had already started work long back.

Madhya Pradesh Congress spokesperson Manak Agrawal said the party had done its poll preparations on the basis of delimitation and some political leaders had to change their assembly areas.

State BJP General Secretary Bhupendra Singh expressed similar opinion about his party.

UNI PKJ-PS SP 1152