Agartala: April 22: In a sharp critique of the BJP and Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, Opposition leader and CPM Politburo member Jitendra Choudhury voiced strong objections to the proposed “One Nation, One Vote” initiative. Speaking to the media, Choudhury accused the BJP and its ideological parent, the RSS, of pushing for centralized control and attempting to weaken India’s democratic framework.
“The RSS and BJP are trying to concentrate all power in the hands of a select few,” Choudhury stated. “To serve this purpose, the ‘One Nation, One Vote’ bill has been introduced in Parliament. But it is highly unlikely that this bill will be passed.” He argued that the bill promotes confusion and misinformation, adding that holding simultaneous elections for all levels of governance contradicts the principles laid out in the Constitution and is practically unfeasible.
Choudhury also took strong exception to recent remarks by the Chief Minister, who had alleged that the opposition was fighting for its survival. Countering this, Choudhury said, “The Chief Minister claims the opposition is desperate to stay relevant. But the truth is, during the by-election campaign, the opposition faced several hurdles. The real question is—who is truly struggling for political survival? The Chief Minister should introspect.”
He went on to label the “One Nation, One Vote” proposal as a veiled attempt to establish an authoritarian regime. “This bill can never be implemented in a democracy like India. The people of this country will rise and oppose the BJP’s undemocratic ambitions,” Choudhury asserted.
His remarks underline the growing tensions between the ruling party and the opposition, particularly as national debates over electoral reforms and democratic processes intensify.