D Raja condemns ‘ONOE’ proposal

Communist Party of India (CPI) general secretary D Raja has strongly criticised the ‘One Nation, One Election (ONOE)’ proposal, stating that it violates the spirit of federalism and could potentially pave the way for dictatorship in the future. He argued that simultaneous elections are impractical in a country as diverse and complex as India, and stated that the CPI firmly opposes ONOE.
Raja visited Vijayawada to participate in the party’s State committee meeting and addressed the media at Dasari Bhavan on Tuesday. He slammed the BJP-led NDA government for pushing the ONOE agenda. Raja pointed out that many political parties and the public oppose the idea of simultaneous elections. Criticising the BJP’s argument that frequent elections lead to huge public expenditure, Raja questioned the ruling party regarding the controversy surrounding the Electoral Bonds scheme. He urged the BJP to focus on addressing such critical issues instead of promoting ONOE.
Raja further stated that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has a permanent structure and must operate strictly within constitutional guidelines. He expressed doubts about ONOE’s feasibility, considering the different environments across the country.
“The CPI,” he said, “is actively fighting against the ONOE proposal both inside and outside Parliament.” The party has also submitted its objections and a detailed report to the Law Commission and the Ramnath Kovind Committee examining the proposal.
Raja announced that the CPI’s national conferences will take place in Chandigarh from September 21 to 25, next year. Additionally, the CPI’s centenary celebrations will begin in Kanpur on December 26 this year. These celebrations will be held nationwide for a year, culminating with a closing ceremony in Khammam, Telangana. Emphasising the principles of secularism and democracy, Raja said that Dr BR Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, envisioned a nation that upholds these values. He warned that the ONOE proposal undermines the spirit of the Constitution and the ideals laid down by Dr Ambedkar.
Taking direct allegations at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Raja accused his support of corporate giants like Adani of looting the country’s assets.  He also raised the long-pending issue of Special Category Status (SCS) for Andhra Pradesh, which the BJP had promised during its general election campaigns. Raja demanded that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu provide clear answers to the people of Andhra Pradesh regarding the State’s Special Category Status.
CPI State secretary K Ramakrishna, assistant secretaries Muppala Nageswara Rao, JV Satyanarayana Murthy, -National Council members Ravula Venkaiah, Akkineni Vanaja and others were present