CPI(M) to conduct week-long campaign in each state from Oct 15 to Nov 15 against ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal

New Delhi [India], October 1 (ANI): The CPI(M) has decided to conduct a week-long campaign in each state within the period from October 15 to November 15 against ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal, price rise, reduction in the retail prices of petrol and diesel, unemployment, privatization of basic services, steps to curb crimes against women and sexual assaults on girl children.

“The Central Committee of CPI(M) met in New Delhi on 29-30 September and decided to conduct a campaign against ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal, price rise, reduction in the retail prices of petrol and diesel, unemployment, privatization of basic services, steps to curb crimes against women and sexual assaults on girl children. The Central Committee decided that a week-long campaign should be conducted in each state within the period from October 15 to November 15, 2024,” CPI(M) issued a statement on Tuesday.

Many prominent leaders of the opposition parties slammed the centre over the One Nation, One Election initiative. Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh alleged that “BJP is a party of one nation, one corruption, and one nation, one commission. “He alleged that the BJP “is running fake propaganda” that a lot of money gets wasted in holding elections. Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar also opposed Centre’s move, saying that it will adversely affect regional parties.

Lashing out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the One Nation, One Election initiative, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said that if it is truly BJP’s intention to avoid expenses then, why does the BJP carry out so many rallies. He added that tomorrow the BJP will also question the need for an Election Commission (EC) in the country saying that a lot of expenditure is made on EC officers.

“After the One Nation, One Election is implemented, they will point out that there is no need for the Election Commission and that a lot of money is spent on the EC officers. If One Nation, one Election gets implemented officers and workers will be brought through lateral entry, and they will be outsourced. If they really want to save the expenses why does BJP conduct so many rallies?” said the SP chief.

The Cabinet approved the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal, which proposes simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections, with urban body and panchayat polls to be held within 100 days.

The High-level Committee on Simultaneous Elections, constituted under the chairmanship of former President Ram Nath Kovind, submitted its report to President Droupadi Murmu earlier this year.

The government said that the report, comprising 18,626 pages, is an outcome of extensive consultations with stakeholders, experts, and research work of 191 days, since its Constitution on September 2, 2023.