Kumar Bahukhandi
The panel headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind had submitted the report in March ahead of the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections
New Delhi: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and several Opposition leaders strongly criticised the idea of ‘One Nation, One Election,’ calling it impractical and politically motivated. Kharge, speaking at a press conference, dismissed the proposal, stating, “It is not practical. It will not work. When elections approach and they [the BJP] have no issues to raise, they divert attention from real concerns.”
Senior Congress leader T.S. Singhdeo echoed this sentiment, describing the move as a “strategy of political convenience.” He questioned why simultaneous elections had not been held in states like Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand if the ruling party genuinely believed in the concept.
Trinamul Congress (TMC) leader Derek O’Brien referred to the ‘One Nation, One Election’ idea as a “cheap stunt” by the BJP, highlighting that Maharashtra’s elections were not aligned with those in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir. “You can’t do three states in one go and then talk about one nation, one election,” O’Brien remarked. He further questioned how many constitutional amendments would be necessary to implement such a system and criticised it as a “classic Modi-Shah jumla.”
AAP leader Sandeep Pathak joined the chorus of Opposition, calling the proposal a “jumla” (false promise). He criticised the BJP for failing to synchronise elections in several states and compared the proposal to the controversial farm laws that were passed without proper consultation.
The ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal has sparked significant debate, with Opposition leaders questioning its feasibility and intent, while the ruling BJP continues to push the idea as a way to streamline the electoral process.
( Source : D C )
