Good news for political parties in the Telugu states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Centre is mulling over to concede the demand of setting up of delimitation commission to reorganize the Assembly and parliament constituencies in the state in order to increase the number of seats. Even though the number is frozen till 2025 at the time of appointment of delimitation commission last time, in view of the bifurcation of erstwhile state of Andhra Pradesh, center is studying the demand for increasing the strength of Assemblies of successor states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Indicating a possible decision on the demands soon, union urban development minister M Venkaiah Naidu said center was considering the possibilities of increasing the number of Assembly seats in the two states of Andhra and Telangana. Talking to media at the Parliament House, Venkaiah said both the states had been demanding for increase ever since the Telangana state was created. Andhra Pradesh wants the present number of 175 to be increase to 225 seats while Telangana from 119 to 175.
” Centre is in touch with the law ministry. The issue is being studied thoroughly as the decision needs amendment of delimitation Act,” Venkaiah Naidu said.
The previous delimitation of constitution was carried out as per the Delimitation Act 2002. A commission had been appointed to delimit the constituencies. The same process had to be initiated for the two states which need an amendment to this effect.
Naidu said law ministry’s opinion on going ahead on the amendment of the Act.
If the number of assembly seats were to be increased before 2019 elections, the process needs to be initiated now itself as delimitation process is a protracted exercise. Commission has be be appointed, opinions have to be to taken in public hearings and objection have to be called for on the proposed constituencies. According to sources, a decision is expected during budget session of the parliament.