UPA divided over agitation over reduction of tribal seats

By IANS

Ranchi : The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) in Jharkhand is divided over launching an agitation to protest the Delimitation Commission of India's (DCI) recommendation to reduce the number of tribal seats in the state.


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Unhappy with the recommendation of the DCI to reduce the number of tribal seats in the Lok Sabha and assembly, various political parties in the state announced their plans to launch an agitation against the DCI.

According to the DCI's recommendation, the total number of reserved tribal seats should be reduced to 21 from 28 in the state assembly and the number of Lok Sabha seats should be reduced to four from five.

"We cannot tolerate the reduction of the number of tribal seats. We will launch an agitation and take the fight to logical conclusion," said Supriya Bhattacharya, a member of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM).

Another important ally of the UPA, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has distanced itself from agitation of JMM. "We are not in favor of launching agitation. We support the view that the tribal seats should not be reduced. But we do not support the agitation of JMM," said Gautam Sagar Rana, the state RJD president.

Congress is also against the recommendation but is averse to the idea of launching an agitation. Congress has demanded the intervention of Governor Syed Sibte Razi in the matter.

"The political parties should request the governor to intervene. The reserved tribal seats come under schedule five of the Indian constitution and the commission cannot change the number of seats," said Congress leader Pradeep Balmuchu.

"We are not of the view of launching an agitation at the moment," he added.

The Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Democratic (JVM-D), led by former chief minister Babulal Marandi, which is not part of UPA, is also against the recommendation. JVM-D has appealed to political parties to genuinely fight against the recommendation instead of making it an issue.

Tribal scholars under banner of Adivasi Astiva Raksha Manch (AARM) staged a demonstration Monday in front of the governor's residence.

"We will not tolerate any move to reduce tribal seats in the assembly and Lok Sabha. The motive of creating Jharkhand will be failed if such recommendations are accepted," said Dayamani Barla, a tribal scholar.

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