ONOE is impractical in federal country like India: U T Khader

Mangalore MLA U T Khader said that the proposed One Nation One Election (ONOE) is against the very basis of parliamentary democracy in India. It is a threat to democracy and the federal system of the country.

“The Congress has opposed the discussion in the Assembly on ONOE. There is no logical end to the issue,” he told reporters.

The government had issues like rising prices of fuel, LPG, essential commodities to discuss. Instead, it chose to discuss a topic that could not have any logic end. One Nation One Election is impractical. To bring in ONOE, constitutional changes will be required, which, in turn, will affect federalism in the country, said the MLA.

The Centre should have convened an all-party meeting to discuss the issue first, rather than asking the state government to discuss it in the Assembly, he said.

‘Make arrangements’

To a query on the demolition of an illegal gaushala on the land earmarked for Indian Coast Guard Academy, by the district administration in Kenjar, the MLA said that the district administration should have shifted the cattle to the gaushalas that are functioning in the district and got funds from the government.

Instead of making any alternative arrangements, the cattle are left in open to risk their lives, he added.

“It was the Congress-led Siddaramaiah government that had allotted the land for the Coast Guard Academy, to ensure that the facilities are developed in the district. Instead of finding a solution to the problem of encroachment, the district administration demolished it. The cows too have rights,” he said.

Illegal sand extraction

On illegal sand extraction and transportation in Mangalore Assembly constituency, the MLA and former minister said that the mines and geology department and its officials are directly responsible for it.

He accused the officials of supporting the illegal sand extraction and transportation.

“Illegal sand extraction and transportation cannot thrive without local support,” said Khader.