In a move that could transform the country's electoral process, the Union Cabinet has given its approval to the 'One Nation, One Election' legislation, which aims to hold simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The bill, which is expected to be introduced in the ongoing winter session of Parliament, has been met with pushback from the Opposition, with many parties expressing concerns about its potential impact on regional parties. However, the government remains determined to move forward with its core ideological agenda, and will also launch a public campaign to garner support for the legislation. The success of this initiative will ultimately depend on the government's ability to address concerns and build consensus among all political stakeholders.
One Nation, One Election: A Comprehensive Overview
Background:
The idea of holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha (national parliament) and state assemblies has been debated in India for decades. Proponents argue that it would reduce election fatigue, cut costs, and streamline the electoral process. Over the years, several committees and commissions have recommended the adoption of this system.
Recent Developments:
In December 2022, the Union Cabinet approved the "One Nation, One Election" legislation. The bill proposes to amend the Constitution and the Representation of the People Act to synchronize the terms of the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Ideally, all elections would be held in the same year, every five years.
Opposition to the Bill:
The Opposition has expressed concerns about the potential impact of the bill on federalism and regional parties. They argue that it could weaken states' rights and allow the ruling party at the center to dominate state politics. Regional parties fear that their influence would be diminished if elections are held simultaneously with national elections.
Government's Defense:
The government maintains that the bill will strengthen democracy by reducing election-related disruption and expenditure. It also argues that it will improve governance and allow for better policy coordination between the center and states.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers:
1. Why is the government pushing for "One Nation, One Election"?
2. What are the concerns of the Opposition?
3. How will the bill be implemented?
4. What is the expected timeline for implementation?
5. What are the implications for regional parties?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be heading the Union Cabinet meeting to discuss the implementation of the One Nation One Election plan, the approval of PAN 2.0, and three railway projects to improve connectivity and efficiency. The heavy rains in Tamil Nadu and the ongoing opposition in the Assembly may also be on the agenda for discussion during the meeting.
The tension between Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar seems to have diffused as both of them visited Delhi for their respective meetings. There have been reports of differences over the power-sharing agreement between the ruling alliance in Maharashtra. Meanwhile, Pawar has hinted at a probable Cabinet expansion on Sunday, which would be the first time he and his uncle Sharad Pawar will be meeting publicly in months. The two leaders were estranged after Ajit Pawar joined hands with the Shinde-Fadnavis government in July last year.
Former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party National convenor, Arvind Kejriwal, fulfilled his poll promise by announcing a Rs 2100 honorarium for all women in the city. This move is aimed at addressing concerns about the sufficiency of the previous amount of Rs 1000 in light of rising inflation. The announcement, made in a press conference, received praise from party leaders including Chief Minister Atishi and senior leader Manish Sisodia, who stated that the AAP's focus remains on the welfare of the common man.
Ex-Chief Minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal, has announced a welfare scheme called "Mahila Samman Yojana" where women in Delhi will receive Rs 1000 per month, with the potential to increase to Rs 2100 after the elections. Kejriwal promises that if the AAP forms the government in 2025, the amount will be increased to Rs 2100. However, currently only the possibility of the scheme is being discussed, with the actual implementation dependent on the election outcome.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited the family of a Dalit woman who was allegedly gangraped and died in Uttar Pradesh's Bool Garhi village. This is Gandhi's second visit to the village after the incident in September 2020. While he spent 35 minutes with the family, UP Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak and Minister for Minorities Welfare Om Prakash Rajbhar criticized his visit, stating that the case has already been investigated by the CBI. Gandhi's supporter Chandragupt Vikramaditya argued that the Congress leaders are in touch with aggrieved people and will continue to fight for justice.
Protests have broken out in Tripura over the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das and the ongoing atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh. Community leaders from various organizations have condemned the actions and are calling for action from both the Indian government and the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission. Meanwhile, the BMC's use of graded M-20 concrete for road repair has sparked concerns among residents of Parsi Colony.
The Collector of Hyderabad has declared a public holiday for November 29 and 30, 2023 due to the Telangana assembly elections. All schools and colleges in Hyderabad will be closed for two days, with regular activities resuming on December 1. The state government had previously announced November 30 as a public holiday for workers and employees. Parents and guardians have received notices from schools and colleges providing details about the closure. Meanwhile, Hyderabad is gearing up for polling on November 30 and vote counting on Sunday.
Opposition parties in the INDIA bloc are gathering signatures to impeach a High Court judge who made derogatory comments about Muslims. The motion is unlikely to pass due to the NDA bloc's majority, but this is the fifth attempt in recent years to impeach a judge, with past attempts failing as well. Video clips and transcripts of the judge's speech will be included in the complaint.
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his virtual address to participants of the Smart India Hackathon, highlighted the crucial role of the country's youth in driving innovation and progress. He emphasized the need to invest in their resources for building a developed India, including initiatives like the National Education Policy and Atal Tinkering Labs. He also announced the upcoming "Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue" in 2025, where young Indians will share their ideas for shaping the country's development.