1002 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
regarding the desirability of holding the elections after the
1951 census so as to have a breathing time ? I understood from the papers that the Government of India have asked various States as to their opinion regarding the advisability of holding the general elections after the 1951 census.
Dr. Ambedkar : I am not aware of any such proposal.
Shri Tyagi : Have instances come to the notice of the Government of seats which had fallen vacant months ago in various States and which have not yet been filled up ?
Dr, Ambedkar : That is a matter for the Provinces.
Shri Deshbandhu Gupta : Is the Hon. Minister aware of the fact that assurances were given by the Deputy Prime Minister to the Constituent Assembly that in certain areas like East Punjab, Delhi and perhaps Bombay or West Bengal fresh elections will be based on a fresh census ? If so, what steps are being taken by the Government to have a census in these areas before the electoral rolls for the new elections are prepared.
Dr. Ambedkar : I do not think that is a correct statement of facts.
Shri Dashbandhu Gupta : May I draw the Prime Minister’s attention to the question and the reply of the Hon. Law Minister and ask him whether it is a fact or not that the Deputy Prime Minister had given an assurance ?
Mr. Speaker : The Hon. Minister has already replied to the question.
Shri Deshbandhu Gupta : He says that it is not a fact. I want the Prime Minister to say whether it is a fact or not. The assurance is on record.
Shri Kamath : Has the Hon. Minister’s attention been drawn to a United Press of India report from Madras that the Government of India in a communication addressed to the State Governments have asked them whether it would be convenient for them if the elections to the Legislatures of the States are held a few months after the 1951 census is over ?