Union Home Minister Amit Shah's fiery address at the Rajya Sabha revealed the Congress party's hypocritical stance towards the Constitution of India, as he slammed the party for their past actions of appeasement politics and manipulation of the Constitution for their own gain. He also highlighted the ruling government's efforts towards fulfilling their poll promises through landmark bills such as ONOP, which aims to synchronise the tenures of the Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections. Opposition leaders, however, have voiced their disapproval, labelling the move as an attack on the democratic process.
One Nation, One Election: A Comprehensive Overview
Background
The concept of One Nation, One Election (ONOP) has been debated in India for several decades. The idea is to synchronize the terms of the Lok Sabha (lower house of parliament) and state assemblies to allow for simultaneous elections. This would reduce the frequency of elections and potentially save billions of dollars in electoral expenses.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah's Statement
On December 16, 2022, Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced the ONOP Bill in the Rajya Sabha (upper house of parliament). Shah argued that the bill would streamline the electoral process and address the issue of multiple elections being held at different times. He also accused the Congress party of manipulating the Constitution for their political gains.
Opposition's Concerns
Opposition parties have criticized the ONOP Bill, claiming that it could undermine the federal structure of the Indian Constitution. They argue that simultaneous elections would reduce accountability of state governments and deprive voters of a chance to express their preferences at the state level.
Salient Features of the ONOP Bill
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the potential benefits of ONOP?
What are the concerns raised by the opposition?
Has ONOP been implemented in other countries?
Is ONOP constitutional?
When is the ONOP Bill expected to become law?
Tesla CEO Elon Musk made headlines for openly condemning President Joe Biden's decision to give billionaire philanthropist George Soros the highly prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom. Musk expressed his disapproval on his social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, and called Biden's decision a "travesty." Biden announced the list of 19 honorees for this year, citing Soros' focus on global initiatives for democracy, human rights, education, and social justice as the reason for his selection. However, Musk's public criticism has sparked debate and raised questions about the controversial awardee.
The murder of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar in Chhattisgarh has led to the arrest of three suspects, including key accused Ritesh Chandrakar, who is a relative of Congress leader Suresh Chandrakar. Investigations have also revealed that the victim and the accused were cousins. Chandrakar's murder has drawn attention to an alleged corruption expose, which allegedly led to his death. In light of these developments, the state has launched an inquiry and seized illegally possessed land from the Congress leader's family.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has released its first list of candidates for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, including big names such as former MP Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma and MLA Kailash Gahlot. The list also features candidates from different backgrounds, such as former Congress MLA Rajkumar Chauhan and former Delhi University Students Union president Rekha Gupta. With this bold move, the BJP aims to secure a strong position in the upcoming elections.
Amidst the highly anticipated Delhi assembly elections, all eyes are on the Kalkaji constituency as Chief Minister Atishi of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party, former MP Ramesh Bidhuri of the Bharatiya Janata Party, and senior leader Alka Lamba of the Congress all vie for the seat. With a history of multiple party wins and changing loyalties, the race for Kalkaji is bound to be an intense one. As Atishi, Bidhuri, and Lamba all bring their unique strengths and experiences to the table, the outcome of this election will be crucial for all three parties involved.
The BJP has announced its candidate list for the upcoming Delhi elections, with Parvesh Verma set to contest against incumbent CM Arvind Kejriwal in the New Delhi seat. In response, Verma has openly challenged Kejriwal and called for accountability for his actions as CM. The BJP has also fielded other notable candidates, including Ramesh Bidhuri in Kalkaji, leading to speculation about the party's confidence in their own candidates.
Parvesh Verma, the BJP candidate for the New Delhi assembly seat, expressed his gratitude to the party leadership for giving him the opportunity. He confidently asserted that the BJP will form the next government in Delhi and promised to address issues such as tax mismanagement and unemployment. Verma also taunted his opponent, incumbent CM Arvind Kejriwal, and challenged him to not run away from the New Delhi seat. Meanwhile, Kejriwal responded to PM Modi's criticisms by highlighting AAP's achievements in education, healthcare, and housing and attacking the BJP's slow progress in these areas.
The BJP has released its first list of candidates for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, with 29 names announced. Former MP Parvesh Verma will be contesting against AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal in the New Delhi seat, while Chief Minister Atishi's opponent will be former MP Ramesh Bidhuri in Kalkaji. Other key candidates include national office-bearers Dushyant Kumar Gautam and Ashish Sood. This announcement comes as the latest development in the highly anticipated elections, with more updates to come.
The third Maharashtra Mandir Nyas Parishad, attended by over 875 temple representatives, passed resolutions including conducting ‘Collective Aarti’ weekly and urging the government to free all temples in Maharashtra from state control. The event was held in Shirdi and was attended by key leaders and advocates of temple preservation. Key demands such as fast-tracking court cases regarding Kashi and Mathura and declaring temple premises as ‘alcohol and meat-free zones’ were also made. The National Organiser of the Mandir Mahasangh, Mr. Sunil Ghanwat, has urged the government to take prompt action on these resolutions.
On the 194th birth anniversary of Savitribai Phule, Nagar Kurnool MLA Dr. Rajesh Reddy emphasized the importance of following her ideals during an event organized by the District Education Department. He lauded the state government's declaration of January 3rd as Women's Teachers' Day and its commitment to realizing Savitribai's vision for social equality. In the presence of District Collector and Education Officer, several women teachers were honored and a student dressed as Savitribai Phule received special recognition.
Tensions have been high in Manipur's Kangpokpi district for the past week, leading to a violent attack on the office of the Superintendent of Police on Friday. Videos and images emerging from the town show armed individuals dressed in camouflage and damaged vehicles on the premises. The violence follows a confrontation between security forces and Kuki-Zo women in the district earlier in the week, which has sparked protests and demands for the removal of joint security forces stationed in the area. While the situation has been brought under control, locals estimate that 15 people from the mob were injured.