Guwahati: As the Election Commission of India has launched the consultation process on the delimitation of constituencies in Assam, the state’s ruling BJP has stated that the districts adhering to population control norms must not be penalised.

Upper Assam districts have adhered to the population control norms and any reduction of constituencies there would disincentive those following the policy.

The opposition Congress skipped the consultation programme on Monday alleging allocation of little time. Over 55 organisations and 10 national- and state-recognised political parties met the Election Commission team in Guwahati. The commission has again invited Congress to join the consultation.

Chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar, and commissioners Anup Chandra Pandey and Arun Goel reached Guwahati on Sunday and will be here till Tuesday.

Leader of opposition Debabrata Saikia said: “The Assam Congress had earlier met the ECI full bench in Delhi and asked them about the clarifications and the irregularities regarding district political boundaries. They told us they will meet our queries and we then gave them a reminder and ever since we are waiting for the reply. Now they are only giving 10 to 15 minutes and we don’t think meeting them will be any useful.”

Meanwhile, Assam minister and BJP leader Ashok Singhal said the ruling party has requested the commission to keep the Kokrajhar seat reserved for scheduled tribes. Also, in the two seats of Dhemaji, one should be kept for unrepresented tribes and communities, he said.

Assam joint chief electoral officer Lakhinandan Saharia said the commission had taken note of the representations made in January by the Congress and the Bodoland Peoples’ Committee. “The commission, thereafter, decided to hear all stakeholders including political parties, people’s representatives, civil society organisations, etc.,” he said.He said while the Congress had already made a representation, it was again given time to meet the commission in Guwahati on Monday after the party sought another meeting in Delhi.