Simultaneous LS, assembly polls idea being thrust by govt: TMC

The Trinamool Congress today accused the government of "thrusting" the idea of simultaneous polls, while the BJD urged the government to come out with a draft bill on the issue to explain how it seeks to go about holding Lok Sabha and state assembly elections together.
Participating in the debate on the motion of thanks to the President's address, Kalyan Banerjee (TMC) said while the matter is under consideration of a parliamentary committee, the Prime Minister should refrain raising the issue at various fora.
The parliamentary committee on law and personnel had in December 2015 supported simultaneous polls.
He said while the PM talks of simultaneous polls, there are talks that the Lok Sabha elections could be advanced to November-December this year.

"Charity begins at home. BJP states of UP, Assam and Gujarat should also go for fresh polls along with the Lok Sabha elections," he said, adding that the government is "thrusting" the concept upon the people.
He also attacked the West Bengal governor for allegedly interfering in the affairs of the state government.

Parliamentary Affairs minister Ananth Kumar reminded him that the role of governors cannot be debated in Parliament.
B Mahtab (BJD) said it would be appropriate that the government explains how it planned to go about holding simultaneous polls by bringing out a draft bill.
This, he said, would help parties and stakeholders to debate and discuss details of the exercise. He said this would explain the plan behind the government's "wishful thinking".

Referring to the presence of 10 ASEAN leaders at the Republic Day parade, he asked whether the government has prepared a roadmap for diplomacy. "Republic crumbles once statesmanship makes way for showmanship," he said.