A new committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind is set to explore the possibility of implementing a "One Nation, One Election" system in India, which would involve simultaneous national and state elections across the country. This development marks a significant advancement in the ongoing discussion of this proposal, which has been a subject of debate among various panels.
This move follows the recent announcement by the Central government regarding a special session of parliament scheduled from September 18 to 22, the agenda of which has not been disclosed. While there is widespread speculation that a bill related to 'One Nation, One Election' may be presented during this session, no official confirmation has been provided by the government.
This move gathered a lot of reactions and criticism from the opposition parties and their leaders.
Opposition leaders Priyanka Chaturvedi and Sanjay Singh have expressed their view that the BJP government at the Centre appears to be apprehensive and is unwilling to introduce the 'One Nation, One Election' bill without prior consultation. Priyanka Chaturvedi, a leader from Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray, has raised questions about how the Central government could propose the 'One India, One Election' bill without engaging in discussions with key stakeholders, including the Election Commission, all state chief ministers, security personnel, and opposition parties.
"Today the country is facing farmers' issues, rising unemployment, China's aggression... If the special session will address all these issues then it's welcomed. If it will be used to divert attention from these issues then it shows that BJP is nervous. I want to ask them (central govt) as to when will a committee be formed on inflation, corruption, rising unemployment, women's reservation..." said Priyanka Chaturvedi.
Priyanka Chaturvedi has made it clear that opposition parties will strongly resist the 'One India, One Election' bill if the government attempts to introduce it during the special parliamentary session scheduled from September 18 to 22.
Additionally, Sanjay Singh, a leader from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has suggested that the BJP-led Central government is displaying fear of the Opposition alliance, INDIA. Singh believes that this fear may be the driving force behind the government's consideration of introducing the 'One Nation, One Election' bill.
Regarding the reports of the Central government forming a committee to investigate the feasibility of 'one nation, one election,' Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut stated: “The country is already one, is anyone questioning that? We demand fair election, not 'one nation one election'. This funda of 'one nation one election' is being brought to divert the attention from our demand of fair election.”
Just as the INDIA Alliance is preparing to unveil its logo, CPI general secretary D Raja shared his thoughts on the reports of the Central government forming a committee to examine the potential of 'one nation one election.' He stated: “How can the government take unilateral decisions without consultation with political parties and Parliament?"
