Alleging that BJP leaders are engaged in diversionary politics like joint elections to divert public attention, the Congress MP from Bhongir, Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, said that it is easy to say ‘one country…one election’, which sounds good but requires a lot of amendments.
Demonetisation was also carried out similarly without anyone knowing how much profit was made and how many lakhs of crores of black money was generated, Chamala Kiran ridiculed the BJP-led Central government.
Speaking to the media at the Gandhi Bhavan on Thursday, Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy said the BJP should avoid diversionary tactics.
“We oppose the NDA government’s decision on joint elections. Joint elections are good…but all possibilities should be considered…It is impossible to hold joint elections without the approval of states. Because the arrangements, equipment and personnel required for the conduct of elections should also be adequate. When the Centre has the power to conduct joint elections… Why was the parliamentary election not held at the same time? There are 194 countries in the world. Joint elections are held only in 10 countries,” the MP said.
Chamala Kiran said that Article 83, which determines the tenure of the Lok Sabha, and Article 172, which determines the tenure of the Assemblies have to be amended.
He said before holding a Cabinet meeting and discussing ‘one country, one election’, the people should be informed. There are no facts in Ram Nath Kovind’s report and no clarity about who in the country the committee talked to and where the meeting was held, he said.
“If joint elections are to be held, 18 amendments will have to be made. The Centre is not in a position to conduct elections, which are going to be held in four states. BJP leaders are misleading the people,” he slammed.
The MP said that 362 Lok Sabha MPs, 164 Rajya Sabha MPs and 14 states have to endorse the new move, he said.
