The process for carrying out the delimitation of Assembly segments in J&K is provided within state’s own Constitution, and not the Constitution of India, Union government informed the Parliament on Wednesday.

As Centre washed its hands off the Delimitation process in J&K, A senior BJP on the condition of anonymity told The Publish that the Governor Administration may consider the delimitation process and once the process starts, the elections are going to be delayed. Though in a recent press conference BJP point person for J&K, Ram Madhav had suggested that elections in J&K may be held in October-November, but that seems to be a remote possibility as the election process needs to be initiated in early September and in case Governor's Administration goes ahead with delimitation, the elections are bound to be delayed.

“Jammu and Kashmir was not included within preview of the delimitation Act 2002 as Article 170 of Constitution of India that deals with delimitation of constituencies for State Legislative Assemblies has not been extended to the State (J&K),” Minister of State for Home Affairs, G Krishna Reddy told the Rajya Sabha, in a written reply to a question over the subject.

The reply states that process for delimitation ofLegislative Assembly seats in J&K is provided under sections 47 and 141 of Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Minister’s reply came in response to the question by MPRajya Sabha, Surendra Singh Nagar, from Samajwadi Party. Singh had asked the Centre to clarify its position over delimitation in J&K and road map inthis regard.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has repeatedly raised the issue of delimitation or redrawing of Assembly segments in J&K, alleging that Kashmir was over represented in the Assembly, which, according to the party, hasresulted in “marginalization” of Jammu and Ladakh.