The Kerala CPIM government is taking decisive steps against the central government. Just days ago, Kerala passed a bill opposing the 'One Nation, One Election' initiative and now, they are preparing to introduce a bill against the Waqf Amendment Bill. Today, the Pinarayi Vijayan government is set to present the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Kerala Assembly.
Four days ago, on October 10, the bill against 'One Nation, One Election' was introduced in the Kerala Assembly. With the Chief Minister absent, Parliamentary Affairs Minister MB Rajesh took the lead to present the motion, which eventually got passed.
Challenging Democratic Rights
While passing the proposal, Parliamentary Affairs Minister MB Rajesh asserted that reducing the term of states and local governance bodies that haven't completed five years challenges the ultimate democratic rights of the people. It's an assault on the constitutional rights of state governments to conduct elections for local self-governance bodies, and it also strikes at our country's federal setup.
'When Other Alternatives Exist...'
The minister further argued that aiming to cut costs and ease governance while dismantling the constitutionally based federal system undermines the rights of state governments and local self-governance. Alternative methods exist, he contended.
'Attempt to Implement an Agenda'
Rajesh indicated that the move goes against constitutional principles and reflects the centralized governance agenda of RSS-BJP, which can be seen in these initiatives. It's part of a democratic reform process. The opposition proposed some amendments to the bill, a few of which were accepted.
