Guwahati, Aug 13 (SocialNews.XYZ) The final order of delimitation of assembly and parliamentary constituencies, published by the Election Commission of India (ECI), has disappointed many, including veteran MLA of the BJP's ally, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), Prodip Hazarika, who quit the party posts to protest against the move.
In the delimitation exercise, Hazarika has lost his seat in Amguri, one of the oldest assembly constituencies in Assam which he represented five times.
Speaking to IANS, Hazarika expressed his strong dissatisfaction with the AGP leadership, which, according to him, has failed to secure its own leaders and workers interests.
Excerpts from the interview:
Q: Your resignation from the party over the dilution of the Amguri constituency has been a blow for the AGP. Has the leadership tried to contact you?
A: First of all, I want to make one point clear. I have not resigned from the primary membership of AGP. I am the founding member of this party and so it is not easy to say goodbye. However, I have quit all the party posts I was holding, like general secretary and member of the central committee. The the party president, Atul Bora, called me, but somehow we could not have a word.
Q: You expressed your dissatisfaction after the publication of the draft proposal in June. Did AGP give any representation to the state government or to the Election Commission of India to keep this seat intact?
A: We had a three-member committee to discuss the issues with the draft delimitation. The AGP leadership expressed resentment regarding the scrapping of a few constituencies, including Amguri, to the state government and forwarded the suggestions to the ECI during the public hearing. We were given the assurance that the issue would be resolved, but nothing has been done.
Q: Have you spoken to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on the dilution of Amguri?
A: Our party approached him and narrated the details of the situation.
Q: The poll body has kept most of the proposals that were put forward by the state government regarding the delimitation. Was any suggestion from the state government given to the EC for keeping the Amguri constituency intact?
A: Hazarika: We have been told that the state government has sent a proposal in this regard. But as nothing has changed from the draft, we doubt whether it is true or not.
Q: Do you blame the BJP for the scrapping of the Amguri constituency?
A: Look, I should rather say that my party has failed in this delimitation exercise. AGP is a part of the government, and its MLAs are losing their seats. I must admit that my leadership has failed.
Q: What about local party workers? Are they unhappy?
A: Local party workers are very angry. Soon after the publication of the draft delimitation proposal in June, they staged several protests against it. However, on the basis of the party leadership's commitment to keep Amguri intact, I gave them assurance, and they withdrew the protests. However, as we have lost the seat, it is my moral responsibility to quit the party posts as I have failed to meet the expectations of my workers.
Q: Have you planned your next action?
A: I truly believe that every problem has a solution. The state government is also able to find a way to deal with the current situation. I have been exploring things; let us see what happens.
Source: IANS
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