Assam Delimitation Reshapes Guwahati's Political Map
The 2023 delimitation of assembly constituencies in Assam has significantly altered the electoral landscape of Kamrup (Metro) district. This process has boosted the Bharatiya Janata Party's prospects across all five seats in the district. The changes include two newly created constituencies and the dissolution of one old seat, setting the stage for a favorable outcome for the ruling party.
Redrawing the Boundaries
Before the delimitation exercise, Kamrup (Metro) district consisted of four assembly constituencies. These were Guwahati East, Gauhati West, Dispur, and Jalukbari. The recent restructuring has introduced a new configuration that benefits the BJP's political strategy.
The delimitation led to the creation of the Guwahati Central constituency. This new seat was formed by breaking up the erstwhile Gauhati West constituency. Gauhati West was traditionally held by the Asom Gana Parishad, a key ally of the BJP. Parts of the Gauhati East constituency were also incorporated into this new area. Gauhati East has now been renamed as the New Guwahati constituency.
With its predominantly urban and Hindu-majority voter base, Guwahati Central is widely seen as a natural stronghold for the BJP. The party already enjoys established influence in Guwahati, making this seat a likely win for them.
Impact on Other Constituencies
Similarly, the new Dimoria constituency emerged after the breakup of the Dispur seat. The Dispur constituency itself has been slightly reduced in size due to this change. Meanwhile, the Jalukbari constituency remains unchanged, preserving its existing boundaries.
Party insiders have noted an important shift. Prior to delimitation, one of Guwahati's seats was held by the AGP. The restructuring now positions the BJP to stake a claim for contesting in all five seats within the district. This move could strengthen the party's hold on the region.
Ticket Aspirants Emerge
Several names are surfacing as potential candidates for the newly created seats. Dewan Dhruba Jyoti Maral, BJP's state media convenor and vice-chairman of Assam Food & Civil Supplies Corporation Limited, is said to be in the race for a ticket from Guwahati Central constituency.
For the New Guwahati constituency, names like state media in-charge Rupam Goswami, Shantanu Bharali, and Pranab Lahkar are being discussed as possible contenders. The competition for tickets reflects the heightened interest in these reshaped constituencies.
A party insider commented on the situation. They stated that anyone can hope for a ticket. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and the party's state president Dilip Saikia have already emphasized the party's focus on introducing new faces and more women candidates. This approach aligns with the broader strategy to refresh the party's representation.
Current Representation
At present, the existing constituencies are represented by notable figures. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma represents the Jalukbari constituency. BJP's Siddhartha Bhattacharya holds the Gauhati East seat. Atul Bora represents the Dispur constituency. AGP's Ramendra Narayan Kalita represents the Gauhati West constituency, which is now part of the new configuration.
The delimitation exercise has clearly reshaped the political dynamics in Guwahati. It offers the BJP a strategic advantage as they prepare for upcoming elections. The creation of new constituencies and the dissolution of old ones have set the stage for a potentially dominant performance by the party in this key district.
