Jamshedpur, September 19, 2024 – In a press statement issued today, former Member of Parliament and senior Congress leader Dr. Ajay Kumar expressed strong reservations against the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) ‘One Nation, One Election’ initiative, labeling it as a move towards altering the Constitution under the guise of electoral reform.
Constitutional Concerns Raised
Dr. Kumar highlighted that the implementation of ‘One Nation, One Election’ would necessitate amendments to several key articles of the Constitution, including Articles 83, 85, 172, 174, and 356. He argued that these changes could potentially undermine the federal structure of India by centralizing electoral power, thereby affecting the autonomy of state governments and potentially marginalizing regional parties.
Practicality and Motives Questioned
Critiquing the feasibility of the plan, Dr. Kumar questioned the practicality of holding simultaneous elections across a diverse nation like India. He suggested that the BJP’s push for this could be a diversion tactic to deflect from other political issues. “This is not just about changing election schedules; it’s about manipulating the political landscape,” Dr. Kumar stated, raising concerns about the privatization of election management as a possible next step.
Implications for Democracy
He further warned that the BJP’s strategy might be aimed at consolidating power by altering the democratic process, predicting that such a move could lead to a situation where the government might claim insufficient resources for conducting elections, thereby outsourcing the process. This, he believes, could compromise the integrity of elections and the democratic ethos of the country.
Congress’ Stand Against the Initiative
Dr. Kumar reiterated the Congress party’s stance against what they perceive as an encroachment on the Constitution’s spirit and federalism. “We will not let this conspiracy against democracy succeed,” he declared, emphasizing the party’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s democratic framework.
Political Diversion or Genuine Reform?
The statement comes against the backdrop of the BJP forming a committee to explore the legal and logistical aspects of ‘One Nation, One Election’, indicating a serious consideration towards this reform. However, Dr. Kumar’s comments reflect a broader opposition narrative, which views this initiative with skepticism, seeing it more as a political maneuver than a genuine attempt at electoral reform.
Report by Prem Kumar Srivastava with Jaswinder Singh
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