Now, Bihar opposes rejigging of LS seats

Cutting across party lines, all major political parties in Bihar have opposed the rejigging of parliamentary constituencies in the state for the next general elections by the Delimitation Commission.

Cutting across party lines, all major political parties in Bihar have opposed the rejigging of parliamentary constituencies in the state for the next general elections by the Delimitation Commission.

8220;The new working paper, which has been issued, suffers from serious inconsistencies and it seems it has been issued without proper appreciation of topographical features, administrative units and without proper application of mind,8221; alleges the letter from the associate members attached to the Commission.

Following consultations with party representatives in January and March, the Commission had put out a working paper demarcating the Assembly segments in each parliamentary constituency, which members say had been accepted by all. But on April 24, the Commission unilaterally rejigged the Assembly segments.

The new draft, say seven of the 10 members, has glaring anomalies. 8220;All Assembly constituencies in Aurangabad parliamentary constituency fall within Gaya district. Similar is the case with Munger, Jamui and others,8221; the members have written to the Commission. The case of Jamui, from where Union Minister of State Jai Prakash Yadav hails from, is peculiar as the new proposal takes away the reserved status, unlike the previous proposal.

The members, including from the Government8217;s main ally RJD, say the Commission had ignored existing administrative boundaries, communication facilities and public convenience in unilaterally amending what had been earlier agreed upon. 8220;It is therefore submitted that the original working paper which was earlier submitted to members may be restored, any other readjustment and reconstitution of parliamentary constituencies will not be totally transparent, fair and equitable and will alter the reservation scenario of constituencies in Bihar.8221;

Assma: Protesters disrupt rail links

GUWAHATI: Train services connecting Assam and other North-East states to the rest of the country were disrupted during the day on Wednesday, as members of the All Bodo Students8217; Union ABSU and other organisations blocked railway tracks in Kokrajhar district. The blockade was held to protest against the final draft of the Delimitation Commission. North-East Frontier Railway officials said almost all trains-which were scheduled to leave Guwahati for New Delhi, Kolkata and other destinations of the country-were affected due to picketing by ABSU volunteers.