On Thursday, the Kerala Assembly made a significant statement. Specifically, it unanimously adopted a resolution urging the central government to retract its approval of the controversial ‘one nation, one election’ proposal put forth by the Ramnath Kovind panel. Consequently, the assembly labeled this initiative as “undemocratic and unconstitutional,” signaling strong opposition from the state.
In addition, State Parliamentary Affairs Minister M.B. Rajesh spoke on behalf of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. He articulated the assembly’s concerns about the proposal, emphasizing that it threatens the federal structure of the country. Furthermore, Rajesh warned that implementing this plan could lead to the premature dissolution of various state assemblies and local self-governments across the nation.
The high-level committee had recommended simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies first. Following that, it suggested synchronized local body elections within 100 days. However, Rajesh argued that this approach not only violates the people’s mandate but also encroaches on states’ rights to conduct their own elections. As a result, this undermines the nation’s federal framework.
Moreover, Rajesh criticized the committee’s perspective, which treats elections as mere financial burdens. He found this viewpoint to be “undemocratic”. In fact, he described the proposal as a “condemnable move,” insisting that there are simpler, more effective ways to reduce election costs and improve governance.
Furthermore, Rajesh condemned the initiative as unconstitutional, claiming it seeks to advance the agendas of the RSS and BJP. Importantly, the assembly’s resolution was strengthened by several amendments proposed by UDF MLAs, ultimately leading to its unanimous passage.
In a political landscape marked by growing centralization, Kerala’s resolute stance serves as a reminder of ongoing debates. The issues of federalism and democratic values in India are under scrutiny. As discussions about governance and election reform continue, the implications of such proposals will remain a focal point. Thus, this ongoing discourse will be crucial for the future of democracy in the country.
Kolkata: On Friday, January 10, 2026, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha members demonstrated against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her actions after the ED raids at the I-PAC office and its chief Pratik Jain's home. | In relation to an alleged coal smuggling case that stretches back a few years, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) searched the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) office and Pratik Jain's home on Loudon Street in Kolkata on Thursday, January 8, 2025. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a protest against the ED raids on I-PAC after the raid set off a political storm in the state. Why is a chief minister endorsing Pratik Jain, and who is he? Pratik Jain, a political strategist and co-founder of I-PAC, is a graduate of IIT Bombay. He is credited with helping I-PAC grow into one of the most significant political consulting organizations in India. I-PAC was established in 2015 and offers services like data-driven campaign management, support for governance, and voter outreach initiatives. It has collaborated with a number of Indian political groups throughout the years, notably West Bengal's Trinamool Congress (TMC). I-PAC reportedly collaborates closely with Abhishek Banerjee, the national general secretary of the Trinamool Congress, and his office. The company oversees the IT and media division of the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC and is in charge of creating its election campaigns. Mr. Jain was in charge of the Trinamool Congress's IT cell, according to Ms. Banerjee. According to his LinkedIn page, Jain, an engineering graduate from IIT Bombay, started his career as an analyst at the consulting firm Deloitte. He was one of the first members of Citizens of Accountable Governance, which later evolved into I-PAC. Arvind Kejriwal, M.K. Stalin, Jaganmohan Reddy, Uddhav Thackeray, Rahul Gandhi, and Nitish Kumar are just a few of the prominent figures with whom the political consultancy firm has collaborated.…
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