In J&K, Parties Reject Second Draft Of Delimitation Panel

The commission to redraw the electoral map had first come under criticism in December after it proposed the allotment of six more assembly seats to the BJP-dominated Jammu against just one seat in Kashmir.

A fresh controversy is set to erupt over the redrawing of Jammu and Kashmir's electoral map. The regional parties have rejected it, alleging that the boundaries have been redrawn only to help the BJP achieve its political objectives.

The commission to redraw the electoral map had first come under criticism in December after it proposed the allotment of six more assembly seats to the BJP-dominated Jammu against just one seat in Kashmir. The BJP is weak here, despite Kashmir having a higher population.

Now, after the commission -- headed by a retired Supreme Court Judge -- has released a fresh draft, political parties are claiming it is again meant to favour the BJP.

Citing examples, political parties said Kishtwar district had two Muslim-majority assembly seats. Now, under the draft proposal, three seats have been allotted to the district -- two of them carved out of Hindu-majority areas.