Mumbai, December 12 (IANS). Senior Maharashtra Congress leader Naseem Khan had a special conversation with IANS on Thursday. He expressed his reaction on many issues including EVM controversy, ‘One Country, One Election’ proposal, election strategy of Congress, delay in formation of Maharashtra government.
Questioning ‘one country, one election’, he said that if the government really wants to hold simultaneous elections, then it should immediately dissolve Parliament and all state assemblies. After this, elections should be held simultaneously in the entire country and this election should be on ballot paper. On the controversy over EVMs, Naseem Khan said that we believe that there should be transparency in the electoral process. If questions arise on EVMs, they should be investigated. We want elections to be held through ballot paper so that public confidence remains in the electoral process. He also said that five percent VVPAT counting cannot ensure complete credibility of the election results, and the entire count should be investigated.
Congress leader Naseem Khan reacted to Shiv Sena’s (UBT) comment that Congress is highly confident in the upcoming elections. He said that there is nothing wrong in having confidence in the elections, but it is also true that we are deeply analyzing our election strategies. We are seeing whether we have left any shortcomings in the election process, campaign, or coordination. Congress had jointly campaigned with other parties, but after the defeat it is natural that questions will arise and we should also assess our efforts.
Condemning the violent incident that took place in Parbhani district of Maharashtra, he said that this incident is completely wrong and I condemn it in the strongest terms. Such incidents should not happen against our Constitution and the ideals of Babasaheb Ambedkar. The government should get to the bottom of this and investigate who are the people behind this who are spreading hatred in the society. Maharashtra has always been a progressive state, and we want peace to prevail in the state.
Responding to the delay in cabinet formation of the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra, he said that it is their internal matter, but we hope that the government will be formed as soon as possible so that the issues of the state can be resolved. Especially the Rs 1000 scheme for women, farmers’ issues, and law and order situation should be resolved immediately.
When questioned on the Worship Act of 1991, he said that this law should be fully implemented by all the courts. As long as this Act is in force, no change or dispute should be allowed at any religious place.” He appealed to the judiciary to strictly follow this Act so that disputes at religious places do not spoil the atmosphere of the country.
On the controversial statement given by the judge of Allahabad High Court recently, Naseem Khan said that the job of a judge is to give fair and accurate judgment. If a judge makes controversial statements in public, he should be dismissed. He said that while maintaining the independence of the judiciary, action should be taken against the judges who make such statements.
When asked about the election strategy of Congress, he said that we are fully assessing our election strategies and taking steps for improvement at all levels. The aim of the party has always been to protect democracy and work on public issues, and we will enter the electoral fray with our policies.
–IANS
PSK/AKJ
