‘Parties opposing one nation -one poll have vested interests’
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 9 : Stressing the need for holding simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, Union Minister, Dr Jitendra Singh today criticized those political parties opposing the same and alleged that they are doing this for their narrow and vested political interests.
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Dr Jitendra Singh, who was addressing a programme titled “Students for One Nation One Election” at the University of Jammu, said that multiple elections are incompatible with the nation’s consistent development and growth.
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Emphasizing that the key to a nation’s uninterrupted growth is an uninterrupted electoral system with defined timelines, he cited the example of the USA, and said , the Presidential election there is never held before the completion of a four-year term even in the most compelling situations. He recalled that when John Kennedy was assassinated, Vice President Lyndon Johnson took over for the rest of the term and when Richard Nixon resigned after impeachment, Vice President, George Bush took over, but in both the cases midterm election was never contemplated.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, time has come to roll out “One Nation One Election” which represents a transformative shift in India’s electoral process.
The Minister said, former President Ram Nath Kovind-led Committee has submitted its report stating that more than 80 per cent of citizens are in favour of simultaneous polls. He said the Committee solicited extensive public and political feedback, and consulted with experts to analyze the potential benefits and challenges associated with this proposed electoral reform.
The Minister said frequent elections in the country have led to policy paralysis and wastage of financial resources. He said they also gave birth to the culture of freebies and opportunism.
In fact, such haphazard elections also tend to corrupt the voter, Dr Jitendra Singh added.
The Minister said political parties are opposing simultaneous elections due to their narrow vested interests. The Minister said the ongoing cycle of elections across the country diverts attention from good governance. Political parties focus more on election-related activities to secure victories, leaving less time for development and essential governance.
The Minister urged the students to study the benefits of One Nation One Election and discuss them with their peers.
Dr Jitendra Singh said history is a witness that revolutions were born by student movements. He said youth below 40 years of age are the opinion makers as they comprise over 70% of India’s population. He said the same youth would become future leaders, framers of policies and architects of Viksit Bharat.
Dr Jitendra Singh said the cumulative outcome of the last decade of Modi Government has been a democratisation of opportunities for the youth as well as the resources. The Government has also created a level playing field for the youth by offering them financial support to start their own businesses which are also providing jobs to others.
Underlining the Government’s commitment to women youth empowerment, the Minister said it is heartening to see young girls opening their own food outlets on national highways under PM SvaNidhi Yojana. He said the Start Up India Stand Up India scheme is bearing fruit, with B towns in large numbers appearing on the start up map of India.
Dr Jitendra Singh said Mudra Yojana is also empowering non-corporate, non-farm small and micro enterprises by providing loans of up to ten lakh rupees.
He said Indira Gandhi called Lok Sabha elections before time in 1971 to catch the Bangladesh war sentiment vote, but amended the Constitution to hold elections beyond the time by extending the Lok Sabha term to six years when she found the situation electorally unfavourable in 1975.
Dr Jitendra Singh said likewise the J&K Government adopted the emergency amendment to extend the State Assembly term to six years, but used the alibi of Article 370 by refusing to revert back to five years when this amendment was reversed after the emergency.
Surinder Nagar, MP Rajya Sabha was key speaker on the occasion, Justice M L Manhas former Judge of J&K and Ladakh High Court was guest of honour, Prof Virender Kundal, Director DSRS and Dr Rajau Rawat, renowned academician were special guests. BJYM president J&K Arun Prabhat Singh was also on the dais.
MP Rajya Sabha, Surinder Nagar lauded the Government’s consultative and inclusive approach. The essence of democracy lies in consensus. By forming an Expert Committee under former President, Ram Nath Kovind and involving political parties, the Election Commission and civil society, the Government has ensured transparency and collective participation in this historic reform, he said.
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