Cong MLAs push for freeze on delimitation

The state government has not yet formally announced its stand on the issue but Congress legislators are hopeful a formal request will follow soon. The delimitation process of the Assembly segments in Uttaranchal which has already started threatens to shift the ‘‘power balance’’ in the state.

The delimitation for the first Assembly elections in 2002 was done on the basis of the census report of 1971. As per the delimitation, of the 70-member Assembly, the three plain districts, namely Dehra dun, Udham Singh Nagar and Hardwar got only 25 seats while the remaining 45 seats went to the 10 hill districts. But as per the 2001 Census figures, more people are living in the plains than the 10 hill districts and hence, delimitation based on population would mean at least 10 more seats for the plains. ‘‘This would negate the very purpose of a separate state,’’ said Tehri legislator Kishore Upadhaya.