Srinagar, Dec 15: Reacting to ‘One Nation One Election, Jammu and Kashmir Congress Committee chief Tariq Hameed Karra on Sunday said that he doesn’t want to cast any aspersions before reading the final bill.
“… I don’t want to cast aspersions before reading the final bill. But speaking generally, any bill is a matter of 2-2.5 hours for them (central government). They raise slogans and make accusations, and bring Jawahar Lal Nehru and Indira Gandhi in between. They blame everything on Jawahar Lal Nehru. This (passing of ‘One Nation One Election’ bill) will also happen on the same pattern…” Karra told ANI.
On Saturday, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti criticized the NDA government, accusing it of destroying the Indian Constitution with its proposal for ‘One Nation, One Election.’
Speaking at the PDP General Council Meeting in Srinagar, Mufti said that India’s federal structure was at risk due to the proposal. “Unfortunately, the NDA government is destroying the Constitution of India day by day. India is a federal country. There is a federal structure here. One Nation, One Election is undermining this federal structure,” she said.
Notably, Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal will introduce The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Lok Sabha on December 16.
“The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024: Arjun Ram Meghwal to move for leave to introduce a Bill further to amend the Constitution of India. Also to introduce the Bill,” read the list of business.
The first amendment bill aims to facilitate simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, while another bill seeks to synchronise assembly elections in Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry.
On December 12, the One Nation, One Election bill was approved by the Union Cabinet, paving the way for its introduction in Parliament. However, even before its formal tabling, the bill has sparked debates between ruling and opposition parties.
While several parties of the INDIA bloc have opposed the bill, BJP-led NDA alliance parties have welcomed it, arguing that it would save time and establish a framework for unified elections across the country.
Earlier in September, the Union Cabinet had approved the One Nation, One Election proposal, which seeks to hold simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, along with urban body and panchayat polls, within a span of 100 days.
The recommendations were outlined in a report by a high-level panel chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind.
Following the Cabinet’s approval, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the decision, calling it a significant step towards strengthening India’s democracy.
ANI
Kashmiri officers reduced to second-class citizens: JKPCC chief
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hamid Karra on Sunday said the local officers are being treated as second-class citizens under the current administrative setup.
Addressing the media persons here, Karra said there is confusion among officials regarding their reporting structure. “They don’t know whether they are under the elected government or the Lieutenant Governor’s control. This confusion and mental torture are affecting the people of J&K,” he said.
He accused the government of attempting to create unrest in the region and raised apprehensions about the possibility of Jammu and Kashmir being granted a “crippled statehood.” He said, “Nobody understands what bills they are bringing. Even the departments don’t know whether they come under the local government or the LG administration.”
The J&K Congress chief further lamented the dual administrative control, which he said is taking a heavy toll on the general public. “I have been saying this for a long time: dual control in Jammu and Kashmir is creating problems for the people, and this needs to end,” he added.
Karra, who is the MLA from Shalteng Central, criticised the frequent hikes in electricity tariffs, saying, “After every three months, there is a hike in electricity bills, and nobody knows who is behind it or who is controlling the department. This seems deliberate, and I fear it could lead to unrest.”
Reiterating the Congress party’s commitment to the restoration of statehood, Karra said, “Congress stands firm for the restoration of statehood in Kashmir. Rahul Gandhi has been advocating for the people of the region at both local and national levels.” (KNS)
