BJP National Spokesperson CR Kesavan on Thursday said that the decision of One Nation, One Election by Prime Minister Narendra Modi would further consolidate and strengthen nation building and federalism.
Speaking to ANI, Kesavan said, “The decision by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will further consolidate and strengthen our national building and federalism. But, it will also very importantly reclaim the original spirit and sanctity of our Constitution given to us by Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar and other architects. When PM Modi abrogated Article 370, it re-established the original ideals of the constitution, which were betrayed by the Congress.”
Further, he said that simultaneous polls were always envisaged by the architects of the Constitution.
‘Similarly, simultaneous polls were always envisaged by the architects of our Constitution. There was no debate on simultaneous polls because that was our way to go forward. But no one foresaw that somebody like Indira Gandhi’s Congress would ruthlessly topple democratically elected governments and throw them to the winds,” he said.
Kesavan added that from 1952 to 1967, there were simultaneous polls but the Congress government toppled the elected state government nearly 39 times.
“From 1952 to 1967, there were simultaneous polls but Indira Gandhi’s Congress government toppled the elected state government nearly 39 times. This broke the synchronous cycle of simultaneous elections. In 1970, Indira Gandhi also dissolved the full term of the Lok Sabha. Then the Emergency, she made the Emergency just so that she could continue her tenure. This is how the Congress party attacked the constitution. This is why if you see the Congress is rattled because of their sins of the past,” he added.
Kesavan said that the One Nation, One Election is a very progressive move and more than 32 parties, including several opposition parties, have hailed the move.
“The most important thing about the One Nation One Election is that it is a very, very progressive move and more than 32 parties, including many opposition parties, have hailed the move and this is going to usher in political stability. It will also ensure that the public money is saved and spent on further wellness of the people and it will also increase voter turnout. There are many advantages–the role of black money and corruption will also come down. It is a very commendable process,” he said.
The Cabinet approved the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal, which proposes simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections, with urban body and panchayat polls to be held within 100 days.
The High-level Committee on Simultaneous Elections, constituted under the chairmanship of former President Ram Nath Kovind, submitted its report to President Droupadi Murmu earlier this year.
