Key Points
- The Kerala Assembly passed a resolution against ‘One Nation, One Election’.
- MB Rajesh presented the resolution while Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was out for health reasons.
- People raised concerns about how the proposal could weaken federalism and democracy.
- Other states, like West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, have also spoken out against it.
- Both ruling and opposition parties were on board with the resolution.
Looma News
On October 10, 2024, the Kerala Legislative Assembly made a big move by unanimously passing a resolution against the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal. This happened while Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was absent due to health issues, but Parliamentary Affairs Minister MB Rajesh was there, leading the charge.
Rajesh argued passionately that the proposal goes against important parts of the Indian Constitution and is part of a bigger plan by the BJP and RSS to centralize power and downplay the diversity that makes India unique. He pointed out that treating elections as just a financial hassle threatens democracy itself. Instead of enforcing big changes, he suggested the government should find simpler ways to cut election costs without messing with the democratic process.
The Opposition’s Voice
The opposition, led by Mannarkad MLA N Samsudheen, stood firmly behind the resolution, sharing serious worries about how this proposal could harm the federal structure. They said it could be a big threat to state governance and local governments, which are key to keeping India’s democracy vibrant.
Even though some amendments were suggested during the debate, the main message stayed the same: Kerala’s Assembly is united against the central government’s plan for simultaneous elections. This isn’t just a local issue; it echoes similar feelings from other states like West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, where leaders like Mamata Banerjee and MK Stalin have also slammed the proposal, calling it impractical for governance.
Understanding ‘One Nation, One Election’
If you’re not familiar with it, ‘One Nation, One Election’ is about holding Lok Sabha, Assembly, and local elections at the same time, something that happened from independence until 1967. But with all the political changes since then, this idea isn’t really workable anymore.
So, to sum it up, the unanimous resolution passed by Kerala’s Assembly is a clear shout against a central policy that many think could undermine the democratic values and federal structure of India. Expect more discussions and debates around this topic.
