Delimitation Challenge

In the new political setup following the bifurcation of the former state into two Union territories and in the absence of Article 370, the constitutional provision that gave Jammu and Kashmir a semblance of semi-autonomy, leading regional party National Conference has a tough decision on its hands.

- Naseer Ganai

With the delimitation commission seeking nomination of Lok Sabha members to be party to readjusting the boundaries of constituencies, the National Conference is left with no choice but to decide one way or the other. The party has three members, including its president Dr Farooq Abdullah, in the Lok Sabha. Main regional rival People’s Democratic Party has already dismissed the delimitation commission’s exercise as a ploy of the RSS and the BJP to undermine Jammu and Kashmir’s majority community.