Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal voiced his opposition on Monday to the idea of ‘one nation, one election,’ asserting that the country benefits from frequent elections, allowing political parties to regularly present promises to the electorate. He emphasized that such regular interactions would not be possible if elections occurred only once every five years.
Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, argued that what India truly requires is ‘one nation, one education’ (equal access to education for all) and ‘one nation, one treatment’ (equal medical treatment for all, regardless of economic status). Speaking at a public gathering in Rewa, in Madhya Pradesh’s Vindhya region, he cautioned against allowing the BJP to implement a ‘one nation, one election’ system, as elections are the time when political parties engage with the people, making promises and speaking persuasively.
Kejriwal explained that if all elections were held concurrently, political leaders would only approach voters six months before elections. He emphasized the AAP’s belief that elections should be conducted monthly, advocating for a ‘one nation, one education’ and ‘one nation, one treatment’ approach instead.
The central government has established an eight-member high-level committee to examine and provide recommendations on the prospect of holding simultaneous elections at the national, state, municipal, and panchayat levels.
Kejriwal stressed the importance of ensuring that children, regardless of their economic background, receive the same quality of education, and that all individuals should receive equal medical treatment, irrespective of their social status. He criticized the BJP’s efforts to change India’s name to Bharat, following the formation of the INDIA alliance by opposition parties for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Punjab Chief Minister and AAP leader Bhagwant Mann also addressed the rally. The AAP is part of the INDIA alliance, which comprises more than two dozen political parties.
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