Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge Challenges PM Modi’s ‘One Nation, One Election’ Plan
In Bengaluru, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed skepticism about Prime Minister Modi’s ‘One Nation, One Election’ initiative. Kharge stated that achieving this goal is impossible without consensus in Parliament. He emphasized that PM Modi must gain the confidence of all members in Parliament for such a plan to succeed.
Earlier, Prime Minister Modi, speaking at the National Unity Day parade in Kevadia, Gujarat, highlighted the BJP-led government’s efforts towards ‘One Nation, One Election’ and a Secular Civil Code. He argued that these initiatives would strengthen India’s democracy and optimize resources. Modi also mentioned the success of other ‘One Nation’ initiatives like the One Nation One Tax System (GST), One Nation Identity (Aadhar), One Nation One Power Grid, One Nation One Ration Card, and One Nation One Health Insurance (Aayushman Bharat).
On September 18, the Union Cabinet approved the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal, which suggests simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, along with urban body and panchayat polls within 100 days. This proposal was based on recommendations from a high panel committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind.
Doubts Revealed
Congress President -: The Congress President is the leader of the Indian National Congress, a major political party in India. Currently, Mallikarjun Kharge holds this position.
Mallikarjun Kharge -: Mallikarjun Kharge is an Indian politician and the current President of the Indian National Congress party. He is known for his long political career and leadership roles.
PM Modi -: PM Modi refers to Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India. He is the leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has been serving as Prime Minister since 2014.
‘One Nation, One Election’ -: ‘One Nation, One Election’ is a proposal to hold simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha (national parliament) and all state legislative assemblies in India. The idea is to reduce election costs and improve governance.
Parliamentary consensus -: Parliamentary consensus means that most members of the parliament agree on a particular issue or proposal. It is important for passing laws and making significant changes in the country.
National Unity Day -: National Unity Day is celebrated in India on October 31st to honor the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who played a key role in uniting India after independence.
GST -: GST stands for Goods and Services Tax, a single tax system introduced in India to replace multiple indirect taxes. It aims to simplify the tax structure and make it uniform across the country.
Aadhar -: Aadhar is a unique identification number issued to Indian residents. It is used for various services and benefits, helping to streamline processes and reduce fraud.
Union Cabinet -: The Union Cabinet is a group of senior government ministers chosen by the Prime Minister. They make important decisions and policies for the country.
Ram Nath Kovind -: Ram Nath Kovind is a former President of India. He served as the 14th President from 2017 to 2022 and was involved in various governmental committees.