In New Delhi, on Saturday, Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram strongly criticized the BJP regarding the ‘One Nation, One Election’ initiative, claiming that, like many other issues “sponsored by the BJP,” this one appears to be pre-determined and pre-packaged.
Chidambaram’s remarks followed the government’s announcement of an eight-member high-level committee tasked with examining and making prompt recommendations regarding the feasibility of conducting simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, municipalities, and panchayats.
Former President Ram Nath Kovind will head the committee, with Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, former leader of the opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, and former finance commission chairman NK Singh serving as members.
Former President Ram Nath Kovind will head the committee ‘One Nation, One Election
In a statement Twitter formerly (X), Mr. Chidambaram stated, “The issue of One Nation, One Election is a matter that straddles both politics and legality. In fact, its political aspect outweighs its legal one. The question of whether this issue should be considered at this juncture is highly debatable.”
He further stated, “Despite the significant involvement of major political parties in this issue, they were not part of the consultation process for the creation of the 8-member committee. The committee comprises only one member from a major opposition party.”
Furthermore, Mr. Chidambaram pointed out, “I can identify only one recognized constitutional lawyer in the committee.”
He alleged that, like other issues backed by the BJP, the ‘one nation, one election’ matter seems to be pre-planned and pre-packaged.
The notification stated that the committee would begin its work immediately and make recommendations “as soon as possible,” but it did not specify a deadline for submitting the report.
The opposition alliance criticized the decision to establish a committee under Ram Nath Kovind as a “threat” to the country’s federal structure when it was announced on Friday.
