"To create distraction": Harsimrat Kaur Badal criticizes One Nation One Election Bill
Dec 17, 2024
New Delhi [India], December 17 : Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Member of Parliament Harsimrat Kaur Badal has strongly criticized the One Nation One Election Bill, stating that it is merely a tactic to create distractions from the real issues facing the nation.
She raised concerns over the government's focus on the Bill, questioning its impact on ordinary citizens and pressing matters like employment, food security, and farmer welfare.
"These are just matters to create distraction. Things that should be discussed, people's issues - they do not come on those issues," said Badal in her remarks.
She further pointed out the government and the Congress's lack of interest in running the House productively.
Harsimrat Kaur Badal continued by asking, "Who will get food through One Nation, One Election? Who will get jobs? Which farmer issue will be resolved? How will this benefit people?"
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer argued that the 'One Nation One Election' model is against the federal structure of the country and affirmed that his party will oppose the bill.
"With what intention has the BJP government been working for the last 11 years? They are not doing anything to fulfil the promises they made to the people. They are not doing anything about the demands of people. They are bringing new bills on things that have not even been demanded. Who demanded One Nation, One Election? It is a federal structure; different states have different issues addressed by the regional parties," AAP MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer said.
The One Nation One Election Bill has been a subject of debate, with supporters claiming it could streamline the electoral process, while critics, like Badal, argue that it diverts attention from issues affecting the common man. The debate is likely to continue as Parliament examines the broader implications of this proposed change.
Earlier Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the Constitution (129 Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, paving the way for the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal. The proposal aims to hold simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies across the country.
In addition, the law minister also introduced bills to amend the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963; the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991; and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, as per the day's schedule.
These bills aim to align assembly elections in Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry with the proposed simultaneous elections.
