Congress MP Lashes out at Centre on One Nation One Election Move

Hyderabad: Congress MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy has lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government at the Centre for indulging in diversion tactics in the name of One Nation One Election.

Speaking to the media at Gandhi Bhavan here on Thursday, the Congress MP said the Union government should inform the people about the facts of former President Ram Nath Kovind's report, which proposed simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and Assemblies as the first step and Municipal and panchayat polls in the second phase, and the recommendations should be discussed thoroughly.

The Congress MP pointed out that the Ram Nath Kovind Committee did not clarify who they met and where they held meetings and many facts were not mentioned in the report.

"To conduct simultaneous elections, 18 amendments are required. Currently, holding simultaneous elections in four States is not possible, so how can it be feasible for the entire country," he questioned.

Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, who represents Bhongir Lok Sabha constituency, alleged that BJP leaders were misleading people on the simultaneous elections and were indulging in diversion tactics to shift the attention of the people.

"The Union government is needed a 2/3 majority in both Lok Sabha (362 MPs) and Rajya Sabha (164 MPs), along with support from 14 States. While 'One Nation, One Election' sounds good, it requires many amendments. Similar to demonetisation, the Union government is trying to implement it without informing anyone," he pointed out.

He further stated that conducting simultaneous elections is impossible without the consent of States as the equipment, staff and other arrangements are needed for the conduct of elections.