Opinion: One Nation One Election (ONOE) Is Oh Noe!

Some people on Twitter say it like no other. "It's rather amusing that One Nation, One Election abbreviates to ONOE - oh noe!".

After the Union Cabinet cleared the One Nation One Election (ONOE) proposal, legacy television channels, dutifully, complied with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) playbook. Distract from the real issues: unemployment, inflation, anti-federal policies, Manipur, a plummeting rupee, fuel prices not being cut despite a decline in global crude oil prices, and more.

Just Like The Women's Reservation Bill

This is very similar to when the Women's Reservation Bill was passed last year. The news stayed on primetime, tucking away the government's ineffectual handling of the Manipur crisis. These con jobs have a pattern. The Women's Reservation Bill can only come into effect after the Census and delimitation exercise have been completed. So, the earliest that it can happen is 2034. The ONOE is another 'Weapon of Mass Distraction'!

As my colleague in Rajya Sabha and eminent jurist P. Chidambaram pointed out, "ONOE would require at least five constitutional amendments". The High Level Committee (HLC) on ONOE, headed by a former President, recommended 18 amendments to the Constitution and other statutes of Union Territories having Legislative Assemblies. This would require a Constitution Amendment Bill to be passed in Parliament, with a special majority (a majority of the total membership of the House and a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of the House present and voting). Daydreaming is a popular hobby.

Under Article 368(2) of the Constitution of India, ratification by not less than half of the states will be required to carry out amendments to Article 324A to facilitate simultaneous elections of Panchayats and Municipalities. Similarly, in order to have a Single Electoral Roll, an amendment to Article 325 is required. To implement this amendment, ratification by not less than half of the States would be required.

Here are six reasons why ONOE is antithetical to federalism:

• In March 1994, the S.R. Bommai v. Union of India case, a landmark in safeguarding Indian federalism, strengthened the autonomy of states within the Indian polity. Thirty years later, in March 2024, the HLC submitted its report on simultaneous elections. However, the committee's composition failed to reflect the federal nature of the Constitution, as it did not include a single Chief Minister or representative of states.
• The Terms of Reference (ToR) of the HLC are, in themselves, conclusive proof of the government's blatant disregard for federalism. The second ToR tasks the committee with the dubious mandate to "examine and recommend if amendments to the Constitution would require ratification by states". Any constitutional amendment to implement simultaneous polls would directly impact the tenure of state assemblies and governments. Even the Law Commission in 2018 had suggested that while such amendments might not fall strictly under the proviso to Article 368(2), the government should still seek ratification from at least half of the states as a matter of abundant caution.
• A study conducted by IDFC Institute showed that there is a 77% possibility of voters voting for the same party at centre and states if simultaneous elections take place. The study analysed voting behaviour for four rounds of Lok Sabha elections (1999, 2004, 2009 and 2014) in states where the assembly elections coincided with the Lok Sabha elections.
• The BJP government, predictably, seeks to homogenise electoral opinion across all facets of political and personal life. As the 1960s, particularly 1962, demonstrated, simultaneous elections can sway voting behaviour and sideline regional aspirations and state-level issues. In the 1962 General Elections, the party that won at the Union swept the simultaneous State Assembly polls in Madras, Gujarat, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Assam.
• The Election Commission has struggled with the logistical complexities of conducting multi-phase elections. The 2019 Jharkhand Assembly Elections were held in five phases and the 2021 West Bengal Assembly Elections were held in eight phases. Lok Sabha elections across three states were held in seven phases, and even then, it took 11 days just to release the voter turnout data for Phase 1. And you are talking about conducting simultaneous polls!
• Why were the Maharashtra elections not announced along with elections in Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir? Here's why. The Maharashtra government announced the Ladki Bahin scheme in the budget this June. The first tranche reached the bank accounts of women in August and second tranche will reach beneficiaries mid-October.

More questions. The Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, in a detailed letter to the HLC in January 2024, asked how many state assemblies' terms would need to be curtailed or extended before implementation of ONOE? And once implemented, what would happen if a state assembly or the Lok Sabha is dissolved before its five-year term? So, fresh elections will be held for the remainder of the term. This in itself is contrary to the very idea of ONOE. Oh Noe!

(Derek O'Brien, MP, leads the Trinamool Congress in the Rajya Sabha)

Additional research: Anagha, Ayashman Dey.

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author

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Team Atishi To Retain Four Delhi Ministers, One Cabinet Addition Likely

Four ministers in the Arvind Kejriwal government will retain their posts as Atishi takes charge as Delhi's new Chief Minister on Friday, sources have said. Ministers Saurabh Bharadwaj, Kailash Gahlot, Gopal Rai and Imran Hussain are likely to swear in again as the new Chief Minister takes over after Mr Kejriwal's shock resignation Tuesday, sources said.

Dalit leader Mukesh Ahlawat, MLA from Sultan Pur Majra, may be sworn in as minister too. This would leave one ministerial post in Ms Atishi's cabinet vacant. All the ministers will take the oath on Friday.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said in a statement today that Ms Atishi will take the oath on Friday. "Atishi will take oath as the Chief Minister of Delhi on September 21, other ministers will also take their oaths alongside her," it said in a statement.

The 43-year-old MLA from Kalkaji, who has handled key portfolios in the Arvind Kejriwal government and is among the key faces of AAP, is being elevated as Chief Minister after Mr Kejriwal announced that he would resign and return to the top post only after the "people's verdict" in the upcoming election in the national capital. The AAP convener made the shock announcement days after the Supreme Court granted him bail, six months after he was arrested in a corruption case linked to Delhi's now-scrapped liquor policy.

Ms Atishi said she is happy with the trust Mr Kejriwal has shown in her. She said she will work to bring Mr Kejriwal back as Chief Minister.

"First of all, I would like to thank the popular CM of Delhi, AAP national convener, and my guru - Arvind Kejriwal. He gave me such a huge responsibility and trusted me for it. This can be done only in AAP, only under the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal, that a first-time politician becomes the CM of a state. I come from an ordinary family. Had I been in any other party, perhaps I would not have been given even an election ticket," Atishi said.

Ms Atishi will be Delhi's third woman chief minister of Delhi after Sushma Swaraj and Sheila Dikshit. An Oxford University alumnus and a Rhodes scholar, she has worked extensively in the AAP's flagship exercise to overhaul education in Delhi's schools.

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"I Don't Know What Pakistan Says. I Am An Indian Citizen": Farooq Abdullah

After Pakistan's Defence Minister Khwaja Asif said that Pakistan and the NC-Congress alliance were on the same page on the restoration of Article 370, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah said on Thursday that he does not know what Pakistan says.

Speaking to ANI, he said, "I don't know what Pakistan says. I am not a Pakistani; I am an Indian citizen."

On the Jammu Kashmir Assembly Polls, he said that everything would be clear in front of the people on October 8.

"Wait till October 8, everything will be clear. The first thing I will do is bring back the Darbar Move. We have both been caused a loss because of the Darbar Move. People used to go there in the winter in the Darbar Move. There was a relationship between Jammu and Kashmir. In summer, they used to come here to finish the work. You can go and ask the people how much loss they have suffered because of the Darbar Move," he said.

Earlier, the BJP has lashed out at the Congress-National Conference alliance after Pakistan Defence Minister Khwaja Asif said that Pakistan and the alliance were on the same page when it came to the restoration of Article 370 in the Union Territory.

BJP leader Amit Malviya in a post on X said, "Pakistan, a terrorist state, endorses Congress and National Conference's position on Kashmir. Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, on Hamid Mir's Capital Talk on Geo News says, "Pakistan and National Conference-Congress alliance are on the same page in Jammu & Kashmir to restore Article 370 and 35A". How is it that, from Pannun to Pakistan, Rahul Gandhi and his Congress, are always seen on the side of those inimical to India's interest?"

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala said, "The question is what is this relation of Congress party & NC with Pakistan called?... We can see how the Congress Party National Conference and INDIA Alliance are continuously trying to join hands with Pakistan..."

Earlier speaking on Geo News to senior journalist Hamid Mir in a show Capital Talk, the Pakistan Defence Minister was asked whether Pakistan and National Conference-Congress alliance are on the same page on the restoration of Article 370 and 35A in Jammu and Kashmir.Khwaja Asif replied, "Absolutely. Even our demand is also the same..."

Pakistan's Defence Minister also claimed that that Article 370 could return should the NC-Congress alliance come to power in JK.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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US Woman Fighting For Life After Vaccine Reaction At Hospital

A 23-year-old Florida woman is facing a critical health crisis after a severe reaction to vaccines administered at UCI Medical Centre in Orange, California. Alexis Lorenze, who was diagnosed with Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH) in January, is currently fighting for her life.

According to reports from the Vaccine Safety Research Foundation (VSRF), Ms Lorenze received Tetanus, Pneumococcal, and Meningitis vaccines at the UCI Medical Centre as a condition for further care for her PNH. Within ten minutes of receiving the vaccines, her condition rapidly deteriorated. She experienced a series of alarming symptoms, including temporary blindness, a locked jaw and vomiting. 

“It doesn't make sense why would you give someone a vaccines”

This is Alexis Lorenze at a medical centre in California - her disposition is a direct immediate consequence of being given Vaccines.

The World continues to awaken to the dangers of vaccination. pic.twitter.com/ZrlL0InTFu

— Concerned Citizen (@BGatesIsaPyscho) September 17, 2024

Alexis Lorenze does not have health insurance in California. Now, she is being transferred to a private hospital in Los Angeles for specialised care, said a fundraiser raising money for her treatment.

In response to the 23-year-old's deteriorating condition, VSRF has sent Registered Nurse Angela Wulbrecht and a team of trusted doctors to assist with her care. 

Alexis Lorenze has been using the social media platform TikTok to detail her medical journey. Disturbing images and videos shared by Ms Lorenze reveal the severity of her alleged vaccine reaction. The visuals show her with swollen eyes and forehead, severe black-purplish bruising covering her face and body and red, inflamed skin.

According to Ms Lorenze, she first sought treatment at the hospital for a blood disorder and underwent a blood transfusion. While the transfusion provided some relief, she alleges it did not fully resolve her symptoms. While the transfusion initially showed promise, doctors allegedly advised her to update her vaccinations for the treatment to be fully effective.

After receiving the vaccines, she claimed she experienced severe reactions. The family alleges that the hospital's actions led to the sudden deterioration of Ms Lorenze's health.

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Mega Black Hole In Distant Galaxy Sends 2 Jets Of Energy: What It Means

Two mighty beams of energy have been detected shooting in opposite directions from a supermassive black hole inside a distant galaxy - the largest such jets ever spotted, extending about 140 times the diameter of our vast Milky Way galaxy. The black hole resides at the heart of a galaxy about 7.5 billion light-years from Earth. A light-year is the distance light travels in a year, 5.9 trillion miles (9.5 trillion km). Because of the time it takes for light to travel, looking across great distances is peering back in time, with these observations dating to when the universe was less than half its current age.

Black holes are extraordinarily dense objects with gravity so strong that not even light can escape. Most galaxies, including the Milky Way, have a large black hole at their core. Some of these shoot jets of high-energy particles and magnetic fields into space from their two poles as they devour material such as gas, dust and stars falling into them due to their immense gravitational strength.

The two jet structures documented in the new study - using the LOFAR (Low-Frequency Array) radio telescope, a network of antennas centered in the Netherlands - extend 23 million light-years from end to end.

These super-heated jets, caused by the violent events around the black hole, are comprised of subatomic particles called electrons and positrons, and magnetic fields, moving at nearly the speed of light.

The researchers have nicknamed these two jets Porphyrion (pronounced poor-FEER-ee-ahn), named after a giant from ancient Greek mythology. Porphyrion is about 30% longer than the previous record-holder for such jets.

"Jet systems like Porphyrion appear to be among the most energetic spectacles that have occurred in the universe since the Big Bang," said Caltech astrophysicist Martijn Oei, lead author of the study published in the journal Nature, referring to the event that initiated the universe about 13.8 billion years ago.

"The general understanding is that jets are formed when magnetized material falls onto a rotating black hole," added astrophysicist and study co-author Martin Hardcastle of the University of Hertfordshire in England. "They need to be sustained by a continued infall of matter into the black hole, something of the order of one solar mass (the mass of the sun) a year of material."

Such jets, not visible to the naked eye, start out small and grow over time.

"We've known for a while that black holes can generate these jets. But what is interesting is that to generate a large structure like this, the jets must stay on for a long time - about a billion years," Hardcastle said.

The Porphyrion jets reach far beyond their home galaxy, with an energetic output equivalent to trillions of stars like the sun.

"That is equivalent to the energy released during the most cataclysmic cosmic collisions: for example, those that occur when two galaxy clusters, each sometimes containing thousands of galaxies, merge together," Oei said.

"The fact that it extends so far from its parent black hole means that it may be carrying energy, particles and magnetic fields into the voids in the cosmic web, the gaps between groups and filaments of galaxies which we know make up the large-scale structure of the universe. This may help us to understand the ubiquitous magnetic fields in the present-day universe," Hardcastle said.

Such jets could heat up gas in interstellar space, shutting down the formation of new stars that requires cold clouds of gas, and could damage habitable planets, the researchers said.

The Milky Way's supermassive black hole, in its current quiescent state, does not have such jets.

"The key finding is that jets from black holes can, if circumstances are right, become as large as the universe's major cosmic structures - galaxy clusters, cosmic filaments, cosmic voids," Oei said. "This means that individual black holes can have a sphere of influence that extends way beyond the galaxy in which they reside."

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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2024 Hyundai Alcazar Facelift Review: Fortified for the Family!

The Alcazar is Hyundai India's only three-row offering, and after more than three years on the market, it's received a proper refresh. Until now, the only major update was the replacement of the old 2.0-litre petrol engine with a smaller yet more powerful 1.5-litre turbocharged unit, which continues in the facelift. Now, Hyundai has gone further, giving the Alcazar a new exterior design, an updated interior, and an expanded features list to keep it competitive in urban family car segment.
 

2024 Hyundai Alcazar Facelift: Exterior

The facelifted Alcazar borrows design cues from its sibling, the Creta, particularly at the front. New H-shaped LED DRLs and a redesigned headlamp cluster give it a fresher look. The Alcazar now also comes equipped with ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), with the radar neatly integrated into the revised bumper. 

On the side, you'll notice new 18-inch alloy wheels on higher trims, while lower variants retain the 17-inchers. The roof rails are now more prominent, though the rear quarter panel still bears a resemblance to the Kia Carens, hinting at shared family underpinnings. 

The rear has seen a significant improvement, with a more pronounced bumper, silver skid plate, and a connected LED light bar linking the tail lamps in an H-pattern. "Alcazar" is boldly spelled out across the boot lid, adding to its premium feel. However, the extensive use of LED lighting might not appeal to everyone. Boot space remains practical, offering 180 litres with all seats in use, but folding the third row liberates 480 litres-enough for a weekend getaway.

In a surprising move, Hyundai has eliminated the panoramic sunroof and the spare wheel from the diesel variants. Instead, you get a puncture repair kit for the diesels, while petrol variants receive a 17-inch steel spare wheel. While the absence of the sunroof is understandable, doing away with the spare tyre is more contentious.

2024 Hyundai Alcazar Facelift: Interior

Hyundai's reputation for excellent cabin design continues with the Alcazar. The new dual-tone brown and navy interior looks premium, though it's mostly hard plastic. Soft-touch materials are limited to a small patch on the door trims. 

The dashboard layout is clean, inspired by the Creta, with slim AC vents and a single housing for both the 10.25-inch touchscreen and the 10.25-inch driver display. The infotainment system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but wireless connectivity is still absent. There's a piano-black finish around the climate control area, though the switch to touch-sensitive controls can be frustrating while driving. Storage options in the door pockets, glovebox, and armrest remain unchanged, but they're adequate. Front seats are 8-way power-adjustable, and the 8-speaker Bose sound system is a notable plus.

The second row, particularly in the 6-seater configuration with captain's chairs, is where the Alcazar shines. These seats offer ventilation, recline, fore and aft movement, foldable armrests, and winged headrests for added comfort, although they might feel a bit snug for larger passengers. For those under 5'10", headroom and legroom are adequate. Hyundai also provides a useful feature: a button that allows the front passenger seat to be pushed forward to create extra legroom. Rear-seat passengers also get a wireless charger, two type-C USB ports, and rear AC vents.

Access to the third row is a bit tricky and requires some awkward manoeuvring. Once inside, it's manageable for short city drives, but for longer trips, it's best left to children or teens. However, the third row does come with cup holders, type-C chargers, and a generously sized quarter window to prevent the feeling of being cramped.

2024 Hyundai Alcazar Facelift: Safety Features

Hyundai has equipped the Alcazar with a solid array of safety features. Six airbags, ESC (Electronic Stability Control), hill-start assist, a rear parking camera, sensors, TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System), and rear disc brakes are standard across the range. The facelift also brings level-2 ADAS, an electrochromic IRVM, and hill-descent control. While the Alcazar hasn't undergone crash testing yet, it's expected to fare well.

2024 Hyundai Alcazar Facelift: Driving Experience

We tested the 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine, which produces a healthy 160 hp and 253 Nm of torque. The engine delivers strong performance, with enough power for quick overtakes. The 7-speed DCT shifts smoothly, complementing the engine's punch. Hyundai claims a 0-100 km/h time of 9.5 seconds, though we couldn't verify this due to the lack of a suitable stretch of road.

The ride quality is marginally firmer than the Creta, thanks to the larger 18-inch wheels, but it's still comfortable over most city roads. However, the suspension does crash through larger potholes if taken at speed, so it's best to approach them cautiously. The steering feels light in urban settings and weighs up nicely at highway speeds. Body roll is well-contained, though taking corners at speed is best avoided with passengers on board.

Hyundai claims a fuel economy of 17.5 kmpl (manual) and 18 kmpl (DCT) for the turbo-petrol variant. During our drive, we observed around 6.5 km/l, though under regular conditions, you can expect figures closer to 10-12 km/l in the city, with higher numbers on the highway.

2024 Hyundai Alcazar Facelift: Verdict

The decision to remove the sunroof, spare wheel, and LED reading lamps from the diesel variants might disappoint some buyers. Additionally, the entry-level automatic variant starts at a hefty Rs 21 lakh, and the 6-seater captain's chairs configuration is not available with a manual transmission, which could deter chauffeur-driven buyers.

That said, the 2024 Alcazar facelift remains a compelling option for urban families. If you occasionally need a third row, desire a feel-good factor, and want a feature-rich experience, the Alcazar is worth a test drive.

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US Boy, 11, Arrested After Bragging About His Weapons And "Kill List"

An 11-year-old boy in the US who allegedly bragged about his massive cache of weapons and plans to execute a "kill list" at two different schools has been arrested. In a Facebook post on Monday, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said that deputies seized a bunch of airsoft rifles, pistols and fake ammunition along with knives, swords and other weapons after the 11-year-old, identified as Carlo "Kingston" Dorelli, showed a video of his armoury to classmates and threatened violence. "He had written a list of names and targets. He says it was all a joke," Mr Chitwood wrote.

For his actions, the sheriff slapped the 11-year-old with a felony charge for a written threat of mass shooting. The sheriff's department shared a video of officers leading the boy into the jailhouse with handcuffs on his wrists and ankles. It also shared his mugshot along with a photo of replica rifles, samurai swords and throwing stars displayed on a table, drug-bust style.

"I can and will release the names and photos of juveniles who are committing these felonies, threatening our students, disrupting our schools and consuming law enforcement resources," Mr Chitwood wrote on Facebook. 

Take a look at the post below:

According to the New York Post, Dorelli's arrest comes days after the Sheriff vowed to "perp-walk" kids who make prank threats amid a flood of bogus tips in the wake of the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia that left four dead.

"Every time we make an arrest, your kid's photo is going to be put out there...We're gonna come and get you. We're going to put you out for public embarrassment." Mr Chitwood said in a press conference last week. 

Also Read | Amazon Tells Staff To Be Back In The Office Five Days A Week

Notably, a 14-year-old boy has been charged with shooting four people dead at Apalachee High School in the southern state of Georgia earlier this month. This incident prompted US President Joe Biden to call for a complete ban on assault weapons.

Speaking at an event, Mr Biden said, "I'd like to say a few words about the school shooting yesterday. As a nation, we cannot continue to accept the carnage of gun violence. I'm a gun owner. I believe strongly in the amendment. We need more than thoughts and prayers," CNN quoted the president as saying.

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