Amidst protests by opposition BJP and JD(S) members demanding discussion on alleged irregularities in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA), the Karnataka Legislative Assembly adopted four resolutions, including against the delimitation of Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies based on the new population census, the “One Nation, One Election” proposal, and the National Entrance cum Eligibility Test (NEET).
The first resolution demanded that the Central Government not carry out the delimitation of constituencies on the basis of a census that is scheduled for 2026, or thereafter. In case of increasing the number of seats based on the population, it should take into account the 1971 census to decide the number of Lok Sabha seats and the Assembly constituencies in a State.
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In the second resolution, the Congress government stated that the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal poses a threat to India’s democratic and federal system. Various State legislatures have their own terms of office, and a uniform election schedule can undermine States’ autonomy by focusing too much on national issues and neglecting local concerns. Ensuring adequate security, managing election staff, dejection among voters, reduced government accountability, and economic and social constraints are serious concerns associated with simultaneous elections.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil read out the resolution. He said the House urged the Central Government not to implement this draconian law.
In the third resolution, Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash said, “The NEET examination system is severely affecting the medical education opportunities of poor children from rural areas.”
“NEET not only makes the school education system ineffective, but also takes away the rights of the State Government to admit students in State Government managed medical colleges. Hence, it is requested that this system be abolished.”
“The House demands the Centre to exempt Karnataka from this exam, and allow admission in medical colleges to students on the basis of the Common Entrance Test conducted by the State Government and cancel the NEET system in view of the malpractices taking place nationwide, and make essential amendments in the National Medical Commission Act, 2019 (Central Act 30 of 2019),” the third resolution stated.
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Forest and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre read out the fourth resolution on Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Forest Right Act) 2006. He urged the Centre to introduced suitable modifications in the rules for safeguarding the rights of STs and traditional forest dwellers over land and other resources.
The BJP opposed the resolutions.
As BJP and JD(S) members protested in the well of the House, Leader of Opposition R. Ashok demanded that Speaker U.T. Khader convene a special session of the legislature to discuss the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal and conduct of NEET.
Amidst pandemonium in the House, the Speaker announced that the resolutions had been adopted.
