Karnataka Assembly Passes Resolutions Against Delimitation, “One Nation, One Election” and NEET
The Karnataka Legislative Assembly adopted three significant resolutions on Thursday, voicing strong opposition to key national initiatives including the delimitation of Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies, the “One Nation, One Election” proposal, and the National Entrance cum Eligibility Test (NEET).
Resolutions Adopted
- Opposition to Delimitation Based on 2026 Census
The Assembly passed a resolution demanding that the Central Government refrain from carrying out the delimitation of constituencies based on the forthcoming 2026 census or any subsequent census. The resolution advocates for the use of the 1971 census as a reference point for determining the number of Lok Sabha seats allocated to each state and the delineation of assembly constituencies. The move reflects concerns over potential imbalances and the impact on Karnataka’s political representation.
- Concerns Over “One Nation, One Election” Proposal
In a second resolution, the Congress government expressed strong objections to the “One Nation, One Election” proposal, which suggests synchronizing national and state elections. The resolution argues that this proposal threatens India’s democratic and federal structure by centralizing electoral processes and undermining the autonomy of state governments.
- Criticism of NEET
The Assembly also voiced opposition to the National Entrance cum Eligibility Test (NEET), a standardized test for medical admissions. The resolution highlights concerns about NEET’s impact on students from diverse backgrounds and the potential for it to exacerbate educational inequalities.
Implications
The adoption of these resolutions underscores the ongoing tension between state and central governments over various policy issues. It also highlights the growing regional dissent on national policies that affect states’ rights and representation.
The resolutions will likely influence discussions at the national level, particularly regarding the implementation of delimitation processes, electoral reforms, and educational policies.