On Thursday, the Karnataka Legislative Assembly adopted several resolutions concerning national policies and examinations, amidst significant opposition protests. The resolutions addressed the delimitation of constituencies, the “One Nation, One Election” proposal, and the National Entrance cum Eligibility Test (NEET). The opposition parties protested these resolutions, demanding a discussion on alleged issues related to land allotments by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA), including accusations involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi.
Resolutions Adopted:
- Delimitation of Constituencies:
- The resolution urged the Central Government to consider the 1971 census for the delimitation of Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies, rather than the upcoming census planned for 2026 or later. This move reflects concerns about maintaining the current number of constituencies in Karnataka.
- “One Nation, One Election” Proposal:
- The assembly expressed concerns that implementing a uniform election schedule across India could undermine the federal system and states’ autonomy. The resolution argues that simultaneous elections could overshadow local issues and pose logistical challenges, urging the Central Government to reject this proposal.
- National Entrance cum Eligibility Test (NEET):
- The resolution criticized NEET for adversely affecting medical education opportunities for students from rural areas and called for its abolition. It suggested that Karnataka should be exempted from NEET and allow admissions based on the state’s Common Entrance Test (CET). The resolution also advocated for amendments to the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, to address irregularities in NEET.
- Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers Act:
- The assembly requested amendments to the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, to ensure equal treatment of all traditional forest dwellers alongside Scheduled Tribes.
Opposition’s Stance:
The opposition, led by Leader of Opposition R Ashoka, opposed the resolutions on “One Nation, One Election” and NEET. They argued that discussions on delimitation should occur in an orderly manner or through a special session. Ashoka also criticized the resolutions as being driven by centralization motives, suggesting that separate elections were less disruptive than simultaneous ones.
Procedural Details:
- Voice Vote: The resolutions were passed through a voice vote, with no detailed debate due to ongoing protests and sloganeering by opposition members.
- Cabinet Approval: These resolutions were approved by the Karnataka Cabinet under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s leadership before being tabled in the Legislature.
The Karnataka assembly’s actions reflect ongoing debates on federalism, electoral reforms, and educational policies, highlighting regional concerns and opposition to central government decisions.
