Tripura CM Dr. Manik Saha supports One Nation One Election, praises Modi govt’s reforms including Article 370, triple talaq abolition, and Waqf Act regulation.
Addressing an impressive gathering at Sukanta Academy in Agartala on Sunday, Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha voiced strong support for the Centre’s vision of ‘One Nation One Election’, describing it as a transformative reform that will streamline governance, reduce electoral expenses, and ensure smoother administrative functioning across the country.
The meeting, which was organized to discuss the merits and challenges of holding simultaneous elections across India, saw the participation of several prominent political figures and members of the public. The Chief Minister’s address covered a broad range of issues, including major legal reforms undertaken by the central government, the importance of efficient governance, and the challenges posed by outdated electoral and legislative systems.
Support for Bold National Reforms
At the outset, Dr. Saha emphasized that India is on a path of bold transformation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He stated that the government’s long-term vision is to make India a transparent, efficient, and inclusive nation by the year 2047, coinciding with the 100th year of independence. This vision, he said, is being realized through a series of decisive and courageous policy reforms.
One of the key highlights of his speech was the abolition of triple talaq, a move that he described as historic. “Triple talaq is a practice that has been discarded even by many Islamic nations,” Dr. Saha noted. “No previous government had the political will to touch it. Only Prime Minister Modi, following in the footsteps of leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee, had the courage to make such a bold decision in favor of justice and equality for Muslim women.”
|Also Read : CM Dr. Saha: Waqf Reform Will Uplift Poor and Backward Muslims |
Concerns Over Waqf Act and Land Ownership
The Chief Minister also touched upon the issue of waqf land and the regulatory framework surrounding it. He pointed out that the Waqf Act has enabled the waqf boards to control vast swathes of land, making them the third-largest landholders in the country—after the Indian Railways and the Army.
Dr. Saha expressed concern over the 2005 amendment to the Waqf Act, which, he claimed, gave waqf boards sweeping powers to declare almost any land as waqf property. “This has created a lot of confusion and fear among the general public,” he said. “It is essential to regulate waqf properties in a manner that balances religious sentiments with public interest.”
He further accused the opposition of deliberately misrepresenting facts and inciting unrest around the waqf issue to gain political mileage. According to Dr. Saha, misinformation campaigns are being orchestrated to mislead people and derail the reform agenda of the government.
Legal Reforms and Technological Modernization
Dr. Saha also highlighted the central government’s recent legal reforms, including the revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and the introduction of three new criminal laws. He said that these measures have not only restored peace and stability in formerly troubled regions but also helped modernize India’s legal framework.
“The new laws enable citizens to file cases at any police station, regardless of jurisdiction. This increases accessibility to justice and reduces the burden on local law enforcement agencies,” the Chief Minister explained.
|Also Read : TPCC Slams BJP Over Dalit Discrimination and Waqf Bill |
Call for One Nation One Election
The central theme of the meeting, however, remained the push for One Nation One Election. Dr. Saha passionately advocated for its implementation, asserting that it would bring about administrative consistency, reduce election-related expenses, and enable governments to concentrate more effectively on developmental policies.
“Frequent elections disturb the policy focus of governments. With a unified election cycle, we can save both time and money, while also ensuring continuity in governance,” he said.
He also accused the opposition parties of resisting this reform for selfish reasons, claiming they have learned to exploit the current fragmented system for their political advantage. “Their opposition stems not from concern for democracy, but from fear of losing control over vote-bank politics,” he alleged.
Key Leaders in Attendance
The meeting was attended by several senior leaders and dignitaries, including Rajya Sabha MP Rajib Bhattacharjee, Tripura Legislative Assembly Chief Whip Kalyani Roy, and BJP leader Subal Bhowmik. All of them reiterated their support for the government’s reform agenda and echoed the Chief Minister’s call for a unified election framework.
The event concluded with a resounding endorsement of the One Nation One Election concept by the attendees, who emphasized the need for continued dialogue and public awareness to build consensus around this critical reform.
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