Opposition parties on Wednesday slammed the Narendra Modi-led central government after the cabinet approved the 'one nation, one election' proposal recommended by the panel headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind.
Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said a large number of political parties from across the political spectrum have genuinely supported the 'one country, one election' initiative.
“Our government believes in creating a consensus on issues that affect democracy and the nation in the long run. This is an issue, an issue that will strengthen our nation,” Vaishnav added.
But Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said 'one nation, one election' cannot work in a democracy. “Elections have to be held when necessary if our democracy is to survive,” Kharge added.
However, Vaishnaw responded to Kharge's comment and said the opposition may face internal pressure (over 'one country, one election') as over 80% of respondents who responded during the consultation process had expressed positive support.
In a post on X, AIMIM chief Asadudddin Owaisi said he has consistently opposed 'one nation, one election' because it is a solution in search of a problem. “It destroys federalism and endangers democracy, which is part of the basic structure of the Constitution.”
Owaisi claimed that multiple elections are not a problem for anyone except Modi and Shah.
“Just because they have a compulsive need to campaign even in municipal and local elections does not mean we need simultaneous polls. Regular and periodic elections improve democratic accountability,” the AIMIM leader said.
Rajasthan Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra said 'one state, one election' was not possible as changes would have to be made in the law and the majority for this was not large enough.
“They are doing this to divert attention from their failures… The women’s reservation law was passed, but was it implemented? This is how the ‘one nation, one election’ propaganda works…”
According to PTI, the panel recommended as many as 18 constitutional amendments, most of which do not require ratification by state assemblies. However, they require certain constitutional amendment laws to be passed by Parliament.
Congress leader KC Venugopal said this is not at all practical in this country.
“They want to divert attention from current issues,” Venugopal alleged.