JMM term one nation, one election attack on democracy

Ranchi, December 13 Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has strongly criticized the “One Nation, One Election” scheme proposed by the Central Government.

JMM national general secretary and spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya called it against the Constitution and democracy.

Supriyo Bhattacharya said that the decision of “One Nation, One Election” is a direct attack on the federal structure of India and the basic structure of the Constitution. He said that this scheme will put the democratic concept of the Republic of India in danger. The JMM spokesperson termed it as the murder of the ideology of Constitution maker Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar.

Citing Article 368 of the Constitution, he said that no amendment can affect the basic structure of the Constitution. The implementation of this scheme will violate Article 333 of the Constitution, which determines the minimum composition of the Legislative Assembly and Cabinet.

Supriyo said that “One Nation, One Election” will hurt the autonomy of the states and the federal structure. The scheme is a conspiracy to eliminate regional parties and strengthen the power of the central government. He alleged that the move is an attempt to impose the ideology of the RSS, which is preparing to complete 100 years of its establishment in 2025,”

The JMM accused the BJP of being an anti-democracy force. He gave examples and said that the BJP grabbed power by breaking democratic governments in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. He asked, “Is this scheme not a conspiracy to eliminate regional parties and establish dictatorship in the country?”

Supriyo Bhattacharya informed that the next installment of “Mainiya Samman Yojana”, which is of Rs 2500, will be transferred to the accounts of beneficiaries by December 18. He also said that if deficiencies are found in the forms, they will be rejected.

On Thursday chief minister Hemant Soren criticized the BJP-led NDA’s ‘One Nation, One Election’ agenda, calling it the ruling party’s strategy. “They have the majority and can take any decision, but its implications need to be seen,” Soren told reporters at the Assembly premises.

He had noted that simultaneous elections were held when India became independent but emphasized that the political agenda of the BJP differs from that of the state government. “This is their agenda. They will work on their agenda, and we will work on ours,” Soren stated.

The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the introduction of two Bills, one to make the term of the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies simultaneous, and the other to make similar amendments for Delhi and other Union Territory Assemblies.

The Bills according to sources, are likely to be introduced in the ongoing Winter Session that ends on December 20 and may be sent to a parliamentary committee for further scrutiny.

Disrupted between 1967 and 1971 because of unstable non-Congress governments falling after 1967 and Indira Gandhi advancing the Lok Sabha elections from 1972 to 1971, the plan for simultaneous elections requires a roadmap to surmount the problem of what happens if a government loses majority.