SNCN ACHARYULU
Hyderabad
The sudden move of the BJP-led Central Government on simultaneous elections is worrying the BRS.
BRS President Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao opted for early elections in 2018 by dissolving the Assembly six months before the due date to avoid simultaneous elections.
But now the Centre is planning to hold simultaneous elections. If this happens, Telangana Assembly elections will be held along with the Lok Sabha elections against KCR’s wishes.
Now the question is, if simultaneous elections are held will the Lok Sabha elections be held with the Telangana Assembly elections or will the Telangana Assembly elections be held with the Lok Sabha elections?
Of these two options, the second one will be a source of worry for the BRS. In December, the Election Commission has to hold Assembly elections to five states including Telangana.
If the Centre wants to go for a general election along with these states the Lok Sabha should be dissolved this month.
If the Election Commission wants to hold Assembly elections to these five states along with Lok Sabha elections in May 2024, President’s rule will have to be imposed on these states after the tenure of the Assemblies of these states ends. That means by the time of elections all these states will be under President’s rule.
As per schedule along with the Lok Sabha elections in May 2024, Assembly elections should be held in four states including Andhra Pradesh. Then simultaneous elections will be held for the Assemblies of around 10 states and to the Lok Sabha.
With the appointment of a committee to examine the possibility of simultaneous elections, it is clear that the Centre is very serious about holding simultaneous elections.
If simultaneous elections are held, the BJP will enjoy a political advantage. Most electoral surveys have indicated that the BJP-led NDA will come to power a third time after the next LS elections.
If simultaneous elections are held the focus of the people will on the Central Government than State Governments. This will help national parties to win more seats in State Assemblies also. During simultaneous elections national issues will eclipse local issues. This will hit regional parties.
Keeping all these things in mind KCR went for early Assembly elections in 2018. Now all eyes are on the special Parliament session scheduled from September 18.
This session can reveal the mood of the Central Government on simultaneous elections and the dissolving of the Lok Sabha to go for early elections along with the Assembly polls in Telangana and some other states.
