'Anti-Federal, Unconstitutional': INDIA Bloc CMs Speak Out Against 'One Nation, One Election'

With the Union Cabinet approving a bill to implement "One Nation, One Election" on Thursday, opposition INDIA bloc leaders reiterated their opposition to the idea of simultaneous polls. The Union Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, took a major step towards implementing its promise of "One Nation, One Election" by approving the constitutional amendment bill to roll out the concept of simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly polls.

According to reports, the Union Cabinet approved two Bills, including one to amend the Constitution to enable simultaneous elections. The draft legislation is expected to be introduced in the ongoing winter session of Parliament.

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While the BJP defends the idea as a way to streamline governance and reduce election expenses, critics have raised concerns about the feasibility and consequences of holding simultaneous elections in a diverse and vast country like India.

Opposition INDIA bloc parties have expressed concerns, arguing that the reform could disrupt the federal structure, weaken regional parties, and concentrate power at the Centre.

Reacting to the development, Congress general secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, said, "The Union Cabinet has cleared the bill on 'One Nation, One Election.' The views of the Indian National Congress on this subject were forcefully articulated by its President Mallikarjun Kharge Ji on January 17, 2024. Nothing has happened since then to modify them."

In his letter to the secretary of the high-level committee on January 17, Kharge said, "The Indian National Congress is strongly opposed to the idea of 'One Nation, One Election.' For the sake of a thriving democracy, the idea must be abandoned, and the high-level committee dissolved."

Ramesh told news agency PTI that when the bill is presented in Parliament, the Congress would push for it to be sent to a joint committee.

Here is how Chief Ministers from opposition INDIA Bloc parties reacted:

• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin

The ONOE bill approved by the Union Cabinet is "impractical" and an "anti-democratic" move that will erase regional voices and erode federalism, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin said on Thursday.

Expressing his ire over the move, he said the Union Cabinet has approved introducing the “draconian” ONOE bill in Parliament. “This impractical and anti-democratic move will erase regional voices, erode federalism, and disrupt governance. Rise up #INDIA!” Stalin said in a post on X.

• West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday termed the move "unconstitutional and anti-federal." In a post on X, Banerjee alleged that the proposed legislation—the ONOE bill—was an attempt to centralise power and undermine India's democracy.

"The Union Cabinet has bulldozed their way through with the unconstitutional and anti-federal ONOE bill, ignoring every legitimate concern raised by experts and opposition leaders. This is not a carefully considered reform; it's an authoritarian imposition designed to undermine India's democracy and federal structure," she wrote.

"Our MPs will oppose this draconian legislation tooth and nail in Parliament. Bengal will NEVER bow to Delhi's dictatorial whims. This fight is about saving India's democracy from the clutches of autocracy!" she added.

• Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said the BJP-led central government talks of "one nation, one election" but is unable to hold simultaneous polls even in two states.

"They talk of 'one nation, one election,' but they cannot even hold 'two states, one election.' That means there must be something else in their mind," he told reporters at Parliament complex.

"Why don't they hold 'one nation, one education' and provide health to all in the nation? They just want to go ahead with 'one nation, one election,' but the issues of smaller and regional parties will remain buried.

"They just want people to come and vote once and for all," Mann said. Citing recent assembly elections and bypolls, he asked, "Why did they not hold elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand in one go? Why did they hold Jharkhand elections in two phases when there are only 80 seats?"

• Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah criticised the Union Cabinet's approval of the ONOE bill, calling it an "assault on parliamentary democracy and the federal structure of India." He described it as a "sinister conspiracy" aimed at undermining the rights of states.
He warned that, if necessary, his government would consult the Congress high command to pass a resolution opposing the proposal, similar to the Kerala government.

In a post on X, the CM said that before approving such a critical bill, the central government should have consulted opposition parties and state governments. "True to its authoritarian tendencies, the Modi government is attempting to impose this undemocratic proposal on the country," he said.

He further criticised the proposal, saying it failed to address critical issues like how to handle crises when a ruling party loses its majority in the Lok Sabha or state assemblies.

"In such situations, the only democratic remedy is to conduct fresh elections. Allowing a minority government to continue in power despite losing confidence would be treachery against democracy," he alleged.

• Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren described the ONOE bill as the BJP라이브 바카라 agenda and said its implications need to be seen.

“They (BJP-led NDA) have the majority, and they can take any decision. But its implications and results need to be seen,” Soren told reporters at the Jharkhand assembly premises. He noted that all elections were held simultaneously when the country became independent.

“This is their agenda. They will work on their agenda, and we will work on our agenda,” said Soren.