Congress rejects One Nation, One Election move, says BJP weakening federal structure

Chidambaram on political scenario

Referring to the political situation, Chidambaram said the Constitution and the country’s federal structure were under threat.

“Federalism is systematically weakened. The state governments have been hampered and hamstrung. Revenues to the state government are not only denied but also reduced. Several obstacles are placed in the way of state governments in discharging their responsibilities,” he alleged.

We believe there is a challenge to the constitutional and federal structure of the country.

The central government doesn’t assist state governments where the people have given a mandate against them. The Modi govt. refused rice supplies to Karnataka, and didn’t provide… pic.twitter.com/1OTNdF4sxY

— Congress (@INCIndia) September 16, 2023

Highlighting the recent instances of the Union government’s attitude towards the Congress-ruled states, he cited the Karnataka example.

“The Congress government promised free rice to the people of Karnataka. Even though the Karnataka government is willing to pay for the rice, the Union government instructed the Food Corporation of India (FCI) not to supply rice to the state,” he said.

He also drew attention to Himachal Pradesh. “Himachal Pradesh has been severely affected by natural calamities. Despite experiencing severe floods, relief funds are being denied to the state, especially disaster relief funds,” Chidambaram said.

“Even a child will know why obstacles are being placed for Himachal and Karnataka. It is only because the BJP lost Assembly elections in these two states,” he alleged.

Chidambaram also criticised the Union government’s handling of the Manipur issue. “Manipur is burning since 5 May. The ethnic violence has been continuing for the 157th day. The prime minister found time to visit several countries,” he said.

The Congress leader it was startling and “deeply disappointing that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not visited the Manipur”.

“An aircraft will take him to Manipur in two hours, yet he found no time to visit that state. Except for a two-minute mention of Manipur just before the Parliament session, he has not spoken about Manipur,” he stated.

On the law and order situation in Jammu and Kashmir, he said the government lawyers and officials submitted an affidavit saying normalcy has been restored even as the Supreme Court was hearing the case on Article 370.

“What we see is far from normalcy. Three days ago, a Colonel, Major and Deputy Superintendent of Police of J&K and a rifleman were killed by terrorists,” he pointed out.

“The next day, the government and the Cabinet celebrated the success of the G-20 summit while Kashmir was in mourning. Again, four security personnel were killed,” he said.

Also read: Amit Shah to hold poll strategy meeting with Telangana BJP leaders

On economic situation

Stating that the country’s economic condition has worsened, the former finance minister said the best test of inflation was to see if the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) increases, maintains, or reduces interest rates.

“There is every indication that it will raise the interest rate against inflation, especially retail inflation. The inflation on many commodities is either near double-digit or have crossed the double-digit,” he said.

Chidambaram further said that food inflation was now over 10 percent. “Even while the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) is in the negative, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is rising. The government has no explanation. The WPI is falling but the retail price is rising,” he added.

For several months now, the RBI has been increasing the interest rate, citing inflation. There is every indication that it will increase the interest rate again. Retail inflation on many commodities is near or has crossed double digits.

Food inflation is over 10%. The… pic.twitter.com/zo45SN3kNe

— Congress (@INCIndia) September 16, 2023

“The unemployment rate is close to 8.5 percent. Exports for seven successive months are running low. It has declined. The latest data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) shows several indicators pointing towards a grave crisis,” he continued.

Chidambaram opined that the first quarter growth rates were suspicious. “Growth measured by production is 7.8 percent and growth measured by expenditure is only 1 percent. We have not had this kind of discrepancy in the past,” he added.

“Inflation, employment, slowing growth, falling exports and imports, and government’s response going back to olden days of market distortion, import duties and other trade distorting measures — these are not the answers to the Indian economic challenges. In fact, these so-called answers will only worsen the situation,” Chidambaram opined.

Also read: CWC to script strategies to win elections to 5 state Assemblies

On security challenges

The former minister drew attention to the threat posed by China.

“The Chinese are firmly holding the positions despite numerous talks at different levels. They have not retreated an inch. What happened to the brave words about status quo ante? No one speaks about it. Remember the first few days — the demand was status quo ante. Does anyone speak about status quo ante,” he asked.

He continued, saying that status quo was being changed “every day, every month to your detriment. More buffer zones are being created on erstwhile India-held territory. What does that mean? We are losing territory and the Chinese are commanding or holding the territory”.

“The prime minister told an all-party meeting on 19 June, 2020, that no foreign troops are on Indian territory and nobody has intruded into the Indian territory. This statement encouraged China to continue its stubborn position of not retreating an inch. Therefore, we are all concerned about it and the CWC is deliberating these matters,” Chidambaram said.

Related: First meeting of committee on ‘One Nation, One Election’ on 23 Sept

One Nation, One Election

Chidambaram told reporters that “One Nation, One Election” was an assault to the Constitution. “We reject it,” he stated.

“It is an attack on federalism. It will require at least five Constitutional amendments. The BJP knows it does not have numbers to pass these amendments,” he said.

“Despite not having the numbers, if it puts forward this mirage of ‘One Nation, One Election’ it is only to divert the attention of people from pressing issues and to create a false narrative. We reject this idea,” Chidambaram categorically stated.

“Former AICC chief and chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party Sonia Gandhi has written a letter to the prime minister on nine items that should be discussed in the special session. We have not received a reply so far. If any of those nine issues are included, we will be happy and certainly participate in the debate and contribute to parliamentary discussion,” he said.

“But without the nine items, what is the agenda they have got,” the former minister asked.

“The only agenda that attracted my attention was a Bill to amend the chief election commission and election commissioners’ appointment Act, which is actually destroying the independence of the Election Commission,” he said, terming the Bill anti-democratic.

Also read: ‘Corrupt Working Committee’ posters come up in Hyderabad

Second leg of Bharat Jodo Yatra

Chidambaram said the second leg of the Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra across the breadth of the country was also considered at the meeting.

“Every member who spoke at the CWC so far has supported the INDIA bloc and suggested that we should take it forward and strengthen the alliance. One or two members said seat-sharing arrangements should be concluded as early as possible,” he spoke of the discussions at the meeting.

“The mechanics of finalising the seat arrangements are not a matter of the CWC. It is the matter of 14 members of the executive committee of INDIA. I am sure they are focusing on that responsibility and they will complete the task,” he replied on whether the deliberations were made about seat-sharing for Lok Sabha elections.

“Telangana is among the five states (that is going to Assembly polls). We are holding the meeting in Hyderabad. It obviously stresses the importance we attach to this state,” he said.

“Representatives from these five state spoke at the meeting and explained the situation in their respective states. The reports are quite encouraging,” Chidambaram exuded confidence of winning the Assembly elections in all the five states.

Meanwhile, Jairam Ramesh said that the CWC condoled the demise of former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and the deaths in Manipur violence and natural calamity in Himachal Pradesh.