"Against basic character of Constitution": RSP MP NK Premachandran on 'One Nation One Election'
Dec 14, 2024
New Delhi [India], December 14 : Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) MP NK Premachandran on Saturday said that they are opposing 'One Nation One Election' as it is against the basic character of the constitution.
"The bill is already circulated. 129th constitutional amendment has already been circulated providing one nation one election principle. We are totally opposing one nation one election as it is against the basic character of the constitution...It is against the letter and spirit of the constitution...There are a lot of technical issues also regarding the one nation one election," Premachandran told ANI.
Meanwhile, Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal will introduce 'The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha on December 16 (Monday).
"The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024: Arjun Ram Meghwal to move for leave to introduce a Bill further to amend the Constitution of India. Also to introduce the Bill," the list of business stated.
The first amendment bill to conduct simultaneous elections of Lok Sabha and State assemblies and another bill to align elections for assemblies in Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir and Puducherry.
Several opposition leaders have questioned the One Nation One election proposal saying it was impractical and an attack on federalism.
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh demanded that the proposed 'One Nation, One Election' bill be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee, asserting that the bill undermines democracy.
"The bill will be presented in Parliament, and we want it to be referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which will hold discussions on it. The Indian National Congress's position was clarified last year by party president Mallikarjun Kharge, who sent a four-page letter to former President Ram Nath Kovind's committee on One Nation, One Election, stating that we oppose the bill," Ramesh told ANI.
On December 12, the 'One Nation One Election' bill was approved by the Union Cabinet paving the way for its introduction in Parliament. However, before its introduction in the Parliament, the bill initiated debate between the ruling and opposition parties.
Notably, in September this year, the Union Cabinet approved the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal, which aims to hold simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, along with urban body and panchayat polls, within a span of 100 days.
The recommendations were outlined in a report by a high-level panel chaired by former President Kovind.
Following the Cabinet's approval, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the decision, calling it a significant step towards enhancing India's democracy.
