Itanagar, April 16:
In a significant political development, former Member of Parliament and former APCC President Takam Sanjoy has been appointed Convenor of the newly formed Arunachal Delimitation Demand Committee (ADDC), a pressure group seeking enhanced representation for Arunachal Pradesh in Parliament and the State Legislative Assembly.
The ADDC was constituted during a meeting held on April 10, where members resolved to initiate a sustained democratic campaign, alleging “historic injustice and systematic underrepresentation” of the state at the national level.
The Committee has put forward key demands, including an increase in Lok Sabha seats from 2 to 5, Rajya Sabha seats from 1 to 2, and expansion of Assembly seats from 60 to 90.
Strategic Importance Highlighted
Emphasizing the state’s geopolitical sensitivity, the ADDC stated that representation should not be determined solely by population metrics. It underlined that Arunachal Pradesh, due to its border location and challenging terrain, plays a vital role in India’s national security framework.
The Committee has urged the Government of India, the Election Commission, and the Delimitation Commission to initiate a special delimitation exercise tailored to the state’s unique conditions, including geography, security concerns, and administrative challenges.
Proposal for Inclusive Representation
In a symbolic proposal, the ADDC suggested naming five proposed Lok Sabha constituencies after major rivers, Kameng, Subansiri, Siang, Lohit, and Tirap, to reflect regional identity and inclusivity.
Support for Women’s Reservation
The Committee also welcomed the proposed 33% reservation for women in legislatures, stating that effective implementation in Arunachal Pradesh would require an increase in the total number of seats to ensure meaningful participation of women, particularly from tribal communities.
Call for Wider Mobilisation
As Convenor, Takam Sanjoy will lead outreach efforts involving political parties, civil society groups, student bodies, and community leaders. The ADDC indicated that the movement would expand into a broader democratic campaign if its demands are not addressed.
An expanded meeting is expected to be held soon in Itanagar to induct executive members and finalize a roadmap for future action.
