Fri Dec 13 18:51:55 UTC 2024: **Jharkhand Mukti Morcha Condemns ‘One Nation, One Election’ as Anti-Democratic**
Ranchi: The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has strongly criticized the Narendra Modi cabinet’s approval of the “One Nation, One Election” proposal, denouncing it as a dark day for Indian democracy. Addressing a press conference at the party’s central camp office in Ranchi, JMM’s central general secretary, Supriyo Bhattacharya, launched a scathing attack on the central government and the BJP.
Bhattacharya argued that the proposal contradicts the vision of B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, who had warned against the country veering towards authoritarianism at the cost of social democracy. He cited several constitutional articles to emphasize the sanctity of the constitution and the inappropriateness of altering its fundamental principles. Bhattacharya claimed that the “One Nation, One Election” initiative amounts to undermining Ambedkar’s vision of a democratic republic.
The JMM urged regional parties within the NDA, including the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), Janata Dal (United), and Telugu Desam Party (TDP), to oppose the proposal. Bhattacharya accused the BJP of using “One Nation, One Election” as a tool to weaken and eliminate regional parties, citing the BJP’s actions in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh where it toppled elected governments. He warned that this initiative would effectively end the power of regional parties.
Bhattacharya further linked the proposal to the upcoming centenary celebrations of the RSS in 2025, characterizing the move as reflecting a “Manusmriti” mindset – a reference to the ancient Hindu legal text – and an attempt to assert caste and power supremacy. He called upon all advocates of democracy, including the TDP, LJP, and JD(U), to unite against this perceived threat.
While a committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind had earlier recommended “One Nation, One Election,” Bhattacharya stated that the JMM had not actively participated in the committee’s proceedings, suggesting their input was merely perfunctory.
First Piper 