The Government of India on Saturday constituted an eight-member committee to examine 'One Nation, One Election'. According to an official notification, former President Ram Nath Kovind has been appointed as Chairman of the committee. Apart from the chairman, there are seven members in the committee. The committee is likely to explore the possibility of bringing legislation regarding it.
Eight-member committee
- Ram Nath Kovind (Former President of India) - Chairman
- Amit Shah (Union Home Minister) - Member
- Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury (Congress MP) - Member
- Ghulam Nabi Azad (Former Rajya Sabha LoP) - Member
- NK Singh (Former Chairman, 15th Finance Commission) - Member
- Dr Subhash C Kashyap (Former Secretary General, Lok Sabha) - Member
- Harish Salve ( Senior Advocate) - Member
- Sanjay Kothari ( Former Chief Vigilance Commissioner)
The notification further said that Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal will attend the meetings of the High-Level Committee as a special invitee. The committee has been set up months before assembly polls in five states and ahead of Lok Sabha polls next year.
Special session of Parliament
The government has decided to call a Special Session of Parliament from September 18-22 where it is speculated that the government could bring a bill for this proposal to take effect. If 'One Nation, One Election' does come into effect it could mean that elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies across India will be held simultaneously, with voting taking place at the same time. However, the concept of 'One Nation, One Election' is not new in India.
Committee's report will be discussed
Earlier on Friday, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said the report of the Ram Nath Kovind panel on 'One Nation, One Election' will be discussed in the public domain and Parliament. "India is the world's largest democracy. India is called the mother of democracy. New topics that come up in an evolving democracy should be discussed. We have not said that anything will happen from tomorrow itself," the minister added.
'An attempt to sabotage India's parliamentary democracy'
Meanwhile, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal termed the High-Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections as an attempt to sabotage India's parliamentary democracy. He also expressed his displeasure over the appointment of former Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury over Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge. "First, they bring this gimmick to distract from the Adani Mega Scam, unemployment, price rise and other pressing issues of the people. Then, to make matters worse, they try to tilt this committee's balance by excluding fierce opponents," he wrote on 'X' (formerly known as Twitter).
"What is the reason behind Kharge ji's exclusion? Is a leader who has risen from such a humble background to the top post of India's oldest party, leading the entire opposition in the Upper House, an inconvenience for the BJP-RSS?" Venugopal asked.
(With inputs from agencies)
