Try GOLD - Free

Reason, not rhetoric, must drive ONOE

The Statesman

|

December 22, 2024

The BJP-led NDA government has made a momentous move by introducing the 'One Nation, One Election' Bill in Parliament this week.

Reason, not rhetoric, must drive ONOE

The long-awaited bill aims to streamline the electoral process for 28 states and eight union territories, with an electorate of nearly a billion voters.

The bill has triggered widespread debate, significant interest, and opposition from various parties.

Though momentum is building for simultaneous elections, some questions need answers with constitutional and political challenges ahead.

Does Prime Minister Modi have the required two-thirds majority to get the bill passed in Parliament? Is there a political consensus? Will the Opposition make it a controversial issue? Is the timing of the bill right?

Most Opposition parties reject the idea of simultaneous polls. They include the Congress, the Left parties, the Trinamool Congress, and regional and smaller parties.

They reject it mainly to settle political scores and the apprehension that the move may benefit the BJP.

Former President Ram Nath Kovind chaired a nine-member committee which recommended simultaneous polls last year, labelling it a 'game changer'.

Thirty-two parties supported the concept, and 15 rejected it. The panel also advised that the Centre form a panel to oversee the implementation of the proposal. Also, there should be a joint electoral roll for all elections so that voters will use the same list for national, state, and local polls.

MORE STORIES FROM The Statesman

The Statesman Kolkata

BSF seizes gold worth ₹2.82 crore

A gold smuggler was apprehended by the Border Security Force (BSF) at the India-Bangladesh border, and the precious metal was handed over to the concerned authorities, officials said on Sunday.

time to read

1 min

October 13, 2025

The Statesman Kolkata

NE Monsoon to set in over TN between 16-18 Oct, heavy rains likely

The Northeast monsoon is likely to set in over Tamil Nadu between 16 and 18 October, even as southern districts and Western Ghat areas of the state are expected to receive heavy rains till 18 October.

time to read

1 min

October 13, 2025

The Statesman Kolkata

‘Sardar @150 Unity March’ to be held from 31 October to 26 November: CM Yogi

A “Run for Unity” will be organized across Uttar Pradesh on October 31, marking the 150th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Iron Man of India.

time to read

1 min

October 13, 2025

The Statesman Kolkata

Meghalaya police avert IED bombing in Ri-Bhoi district

QNESUSPECT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED, AND THETEAM IS ONTHEJOBTO ARREST HIM,” POLICE SAID.

time to read

1 min

October 13, 2025

The Statesman Kolkata

Sultan of Johor Cup: Spirited India beat New Zealand 4-2

Indian junior men's hockey team remained unbeaten as they registered a comfortable 4-2 win against New Zealand in the 2025 Sultan of Johor Cup here on Sunday.

time to read

1 mins

October 13, 2025

The Statesman Kolkata

Tariff upon Tariff

Acloserstudy ofthe repercussions of Ukraine ‘losing’ thewarwith Russiashows this willonlyembolden Chinato gobbleup Taiwan. The Taiwan StraitwillturnintoaChinese lake, and India’s growing maritime tradewithits East Asianneighbours, primarily Japanand South Korea, willbe affected. Ourmerchandise, whichhasto pass throughthe TaiwanStraitwillbesubjectto whatever tollthe Chinesemay imposeinfuture

time to read

4 mins

October 13, 2025

The Statesman Kolkata

Toxic cough syrup: Kamal Nath finally comes to his home constituency, 40 days after first kid’s death

Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and record nine-time Congress Lok Sabha Member from Chhindwara, Kamal Nath, finally managed to take out some time on Sunday and reached Parasia in his home constituency to meet the families of the deceased kids who have succumbed to kidney failures suspected due to the consumption of the now-banned toxic cough syrup ‘Coldrif’.

time to read

1 mins

October 13, 2025

The Statesman Kolkata

Bengal-born engineer to lead global IEEE PES

Professor Bikash Pal of Imperial College London, the first Indian-born power engineer to lead the IEEE Power and Energy Society (PES), has been elected President-Elect (2026-2027) and President (2027-2028) of the world’s largest professional body in power and energy.

time to read

1 min

October 13, 2025

The Statesman Kolkata

People ofJubilee Hills must choosebetween carand bulldozer: KTR

Inthebackdrop ofthe upcoming Jubilee Hills Assembly by-election, senior BJP leader from Shaikpet Division Cherka Mahesh joined the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in the presence of the party's Working President KT Rama Rao (KTR) at Telangana Bhavan on Sunday.

time to read

1 min

October 13, 2025

The Statesman Kolkata

CM felicitates North Bengal flood rescuers

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday felicitated eight individuals in Alipurduar who had taken prompt initiatives torescue flood-affected people during recent disasters in North Bengal. The Chief Minister acknowledged their courage and swift action, which helped save several lives during the floods.

time to read

1 min

October 13, 2025

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size