Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who also leads the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government’s proposal for “one nation, one election.” Kejriwal’s comments come as a high-level panel, chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind, has been established to examine the feasibility of holding simultaneous elections for various levels of government in India.
Speaking at an event in Haryana, Kejriwal questioned the rationale behind the “one nation, one election” initiative, emphasizing that it might not provide tangible benefits to the common people. He challenged the idea, asking, “Conduct a hundred or a thousand elections; what would we get?” Instead of focusing on simultaneous elections, Kejriwal suggested prioritizing “One Nation One Education” and “One Nation One Treatment,” aiming to ensure equal access to quality education and healthcare for all citizens, regardless of their socioeconomic status.
The proposal for simultaneous elections has been met with mixed reactions in Indian politics. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi also criticized the concept, characterizing it as an “attack on the Indian union and all its states.” An eight-member committee has been formed to examine the idea and make recommendations, with former President Kovind leading the effort. However, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, declined to be part of the committee, expressing concerns about its terms of reference.
The “one nation, one election” debate continues to be a prominent and divisive issue in India’s political landscape, with differing opinions on its potential impact on the country’s democratic processes and governance.
Sources By Agencies
