New Delhi (Agency): In a strong response to the government’s recent moves, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said that no matter what distractions the ruling regime puts forth, the people of India will not be “betrayed anymore.” His comments come against the backdrop of the government forming a committee to look into the possibility of “one nation, one election.”
The government has announced a committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind. The committee will study the idea of holding Lok Sabha (the lower house of India’s parliament) elections at the same time as various state assembly elections. This could mean that the timing of Lok Sabha elections might be changed to coincide with multiple state polls.
Mallikarjun Kharge, who did not directly mention the formation of the committee, stated emphatically, “140 Cr [140 crore or 1.4 billion] Indians have decided to usher in change. The countdown of this autocratic government’s exit has begun.”
A photo of leaders from the INDIA alliance, a group opposing the current ruling NDA alliance, was posted by Kharge on social media. The leaders were meeting to plan their strategy for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. In his post, Kharge wrote, “Judega Bharat, Jeetega INDIA. We are united for a progressive, welfare-oriented, inclusive India.”
Sources have revealed that the committee led by Ram Nath Kovind will explore how the country could return to having simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly elections, a practice that existed until 1967. The committee is expected to consult with experts and may also talk to leaders from various political parties.
This announcement about the committee came just a day after the government called for a special session of Parliament to be held between September 18 and 22. The agenda for this session has not been disclosed.
Since taking office in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been a vocal supporter of the idea of simultaneous elections. He argues that holding elections at different times puts a financial strain on the country and disrupts development work during the election period.
However, Mallikarjun Kharge’s statements suggest strong resistance to the government’s moves. Kharge and other opposition figures argue that the ruling party’s tactics are merely distractions designed to divert attention from real issues. With the countdown to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections ticking closer, the battle lines between the ruling NDA and the opposition INDIA alliance appear to be clearly drawn.
