Sumitra bats for Modi's one nation, one election plan
Shimla, Sep 22: Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Saturday favoured Prime Minister Narendra Modi's concept of simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections in the country, saying time and again the election code of conduct hampers development.
Mahajan was speaking at the conference of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Region-IV here, attended by Vidhan Sabha Speakers, Deputy Speakers and legislators from Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir and Gujarat, and host Himachal Pradesh.
"We are just sharing our views to take our concerns forward. We are not here to take any decision," she said.
"India had earlier followed the system of simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and the Vidhan Sabhas. We need to ponder over the issue. In the midst of elections one after another in the country, the election code of conduct normally hampers the development process and the schemes get stuck," she said, adding "in the process, much money is also spent".
Mahajan said only after proper debate and taking into consideration all issues, including constitutional aspects, the country has to take a decision.
"The idea of 'one nation, one election' would undoubtedly save money and time, but the constitutional hurdles in its way need to be addressed first," she said.
Jammu and Kashmir Speaker Nirmal Singh favoured consensus.
Gujarat Speaker Rajendra Suryaprasad Trivedi said the simultaneously elections would not only save money, but time also.
"We have one election after another in our states. Every time, teachers are put on election duty, which disturbs the education system. We can avoid that as well as frequent deployment of security forces in case of one-nation-one-election," he said.
Haryana Speaker Kanwar Pal said the election of different bodies continues for five years, and the public representatives don't get enough time to perform.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said 'one nation, one election' is the need of the hour. "The country has done the required debate and we must take the step forward now."
Congress leader and state's Leader of opposition Mukesh Agnihotri said it would be "unconstitutional and impractical to hold simultaneous polls".
"We can neither change the time of assemblies, nor decrease them. It will be against the spirit of the Constitution," Agnihotri added.
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UP: 60 booked over protest outside Agra's Jama Masjid after animal flesh found on premises
Agra, Apr 13 (PTI): Around 60 people have been booked over a protest staged outside the Jama Masjid here following the recovery of animal flesh from the mosque premises, police said on Saturday.
The protest took place after Friday prayers, with demonstrators demanding strict action against the man who placed the flesh in the mosque premises.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) (City) Sonam Kumar said, "A case has been registered against the man who placed the piece of meat inside the mosque. Additionally, those who created disturbance outside the Jama Masjid have been booked. Around 60 people have been named in the FIR for their involvement in the protest."
The incident occurred late Thursday night when a man, Nazruddin, allegedly placed a packet containing animal flesh inside the Jama Masjid in the Mantola area. The matter came to light on Friday morning, triggering tension in the locality ahead of the weekly Friday prayers.
Police said CCTV footage showed the accused arriving at the mosque on a scooty and placing the packet inside the premises before leaving.
A team of more than 100 police personnel was deployed for investigation and area security. The recovered meat was seized and sent for forensic examination, they said.
The scooty used in the crime was traced to a local meat shop. Interrogation of the shopkeeper led to the arrest of Nazruddin, from Teela Nandram area, police added.
The accused was arrested on Friday and efforts and authorities are now probing whether he acted alone had accomplices, the DCP said.
Additional Police Commissioner Sanjeev Tyagi said that action would be taken under the National Security Act (NSA).
"We are looking into the intent behind the act and whether more people were involved," he added.
A group of people gathered outside the mosque, after Friday prayers, demanding capital punishment for the accused. The situation turned tense and police had to use mild force to disperse the crowd, he added.
Security was subsequently heightened in and around the Jama Masjid, with intensified police patrolling to prevent any further disturbance in the area.
Authorities have appealed to residents to maintain peace and refrain from spreading or acting on rumours.
