J&K leaders Mehbooba, Tarigami, Masoodi oppose ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal

The proposal undermines India’s federal structure and will encourage distatorship, warns PDP chief; it paves the way for a one-party system, says NC leader; will cause cracks in federal and democratic system, says CPI(M) leader

Opposing the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal, several Jammu and Kashmir leaders claimed on Saturday (December 14, 2024) that it is actually aimed at creating a ‘one nation, one party’ situation.

Former J&K Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti accused the BJP of “destroying the Constitution of India”, while addressing a party function. “India is a federal country. There is a federal structure in Srinagar. ‘One Nation, One Election’ is undermining this federal structure. They want to take us back to the dictatorship,” she said

National Conference leader Hasnain Masoodi, also a former Member of Parliament, said that the proposal seems to pave the way for a nation with a one-party system. “The Constitution is clear that India is a union of states. The proposal of ‘One Nation, One Election’ is against the federal structure and in contrast to the Constitution,” Mr. Masoodi said, speaking at another event.

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Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader and legislator M.Y. Tarigami also opposed the move. “The proposal is against the spirit of the idea of India and its federal structure, which is giving protection to the country’s huge diversities. These diversities are the real face and real strength of India, which thwarted all attempts to disintegrate the country,” Mr. Tarigami said, addressing a press conference.

He pointed out that the issues raised during the Lok Sabha and State elections are completely different. “The proposal will cause cracks in the federal and democratic system and strengthen the dictatorship,” the CPI(M) leader said.

Published - December 14, 2024 08:01 pm IST