Is the ward delimitation by the state government in Punjab illegal?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
A high-level BJP delegation in Punjab is raising alarms over the state government's ward delimitation efforts, alleging they are hasty and illegal. The party is calling for Governor intervention to uphold democratic integrity and protect citizens' rights amidst concerns of transparency and legal adherence.
Key Takeaways
- BJP delegation calls for intervention by Punjab Governor.
- Allegations of hasty and illegal ward delimitation.
- Concerns over lack of transparency in the delimitation process.
- Claims of data integrity issues regarding population figures.
- Request for adherence to census notifications.
Chandigarh, Jan 2 (NationPress) A prominent delegation from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Punjab, headed by Ashwani Sharma, the state's working President and MLA, met with Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Friday. They presented a memorandum requesting intervention against what they termed the arbitrary, hasty, and illegal ward delimitation being executed by the state government for various Municipal Corporations and Councils throughout the state.
The BJP representatives conveyed to the Governor that the current ward delimitation process is being conducted with undue haste, lacking transparency, and in clear violation of legal protocols and constitutional principles.
According to the memorandum, there has been no thorough door-to-door population survey conducted, and the proposed wards indicate an unnatural and unexplained drop in population figures across urban local bodies, raising significant concerns regarding the validity of the data employed.
The delegation also highlighted severe breaches of the principles of continuity and contiguity, with geographically disparate areas being unjustly grouped together.
Additionally, serious issues were raised about the alleged misuse of reservation norms, where wards with lower populations of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes have been reserved, while those with a higher concentration have been designated as general wards.
Crucially, the BJP delegation pointed out the Census notifications connected to the 16th Census of India, which explicitly require the freezing of municipal and ward boundaries during census activities, notifications authorized by the Governor himself.
In defiance of this, the state government is advancing with delimitation, directly contradicting these directives, according to the BJP. The delegation urged the Governor to obtain the complete records from the Department of Local Government and compel the state government to strictly follow census notifications, legal stipulations, and constitutional standards, thereby upholding democratic values and the rights of the people of Punjab.
Point of View
It is essential to acknowledge the BJP's concerns regarding the ward delimitation process in Punjab. While the party's allegations warrant investigation, it is crucial to maintain a balanced perspective, ensuring that all voices in this political discourse are heard, especially when it pertains to democratic practices and citizens' rights.
NationPress
08/01/2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the BJP's main concern regarding the ward delimitation?
The BJP is concerned that the ward delimitation is being conducted hastily and illegally, violating statutory rules and constitutional principles.
Who led the delegation that met the Punjab Governor?
The delegation was led by Ashwani Sharma, the working President of the BJP in Punjab.
What violations did the BJP claim occurred during the delimitation process?
The BJP claimed there were no proper population surveys conducted and that the delimitation process disregarded principles of continuity and contiguity.
What did the BJP request from the Governor?
The BJP requested the Governor to summon records from the Department of Local Government and ensure adherence to census notifications and constitutional norms.
Why is the delimitation process controversial?
The controversy arises from allegations of data manipulation and the potential undermining of democratic values and citizens' rights.
