Claiming that “most political parties supported” the “One Nation, One Election” proposal, the Government on Wednesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will constitute a committee for giving “time-bound” suggestions on the issue.
“We had invited 40 political parties, out of which presidents of 21 parties participated and 3 other parties sent their opinion on the subjects in writing. Most parties gave their support to One Nation, One Election,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told mediapersons after the meeting.
Interestingly, Rajnath said, “The CPI(M) and the CPI had a difference of opinion but they didn’t oppose the idea, just the implementation of it.”
However, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury reiterated his party’s categorical opposition to the move terming it fundamentally anti-federal and anti-democratic and thus against the Constitution. He dubbed the Government’s move as “not practical” and an “artificial move” that would tamper with the constitutional scheme of accountability of the Government to the legislature. Yechury and CPI’s D Raja, however, attended the meeting convened to push for Modi’s pet proposal.
The Congress, the TMC, the BSP, the SP, the DMK and the TDP were among the parties from the Opposition camp who gave the meeting a miss, but National Conference’s Farooq Abdullah, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti and NCP chief Sharad Pawar attended it. The AAP deputed Raghav Chadha for the meeting even as it demanded a vision document on the matter.
The Shiv Sena skipped the meeting owing to its foundation day celebrations but BJP’s other allies JD(U) and the SAD were represented by Nitish Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Badal respectively. Odisha Chief Minister and BJD leader Naveen Patnaik and NPP leader Conard Sangma too attended the meeting. The TRS was represented by its working president KT Rama Rao. BJP’s new working president JP Nadda represented the party in the meeting.
BSP chief Mayawati tweeted saying she would have attended the meeting if it was on electronic voting machines (EVMs). “One Nation, One Election” is not an issue before the country, she said, adding “elections through ballot papers are actually the national issue and our party will continue its struggle for it.”
SP leader Akhilesh Yadav said several parties would not agree to the PM’s proposal. “They should focus on the promises they have made to people, we hope they will work more on fulfilling those promises,” Akhilesh tweeted. The SP is not opposed to the idea though.
The TMC has demanded a white paper on the issue and cautioned against rushing to the subject without giving adequate thought to it.
The PM later tweeted, “Had a great meeting with presidents of various political parties. Multiple issues of national importance were discussed. I thank the various leaders for their informed suggestions.”
Modi had invited the heads of all political parties which have at least one member either in the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha for the meeting to discuss several issues, including the “One Nation, One Election” idea, celebration of 75 years of Independence in 2022 and the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi this year.
Its backers contend it would save the country from being continuously in “ an election mode”, save an estimated Rs 4,500 crore as election expenditure and help in developmental works not getting affected. But many opposing are apprehensive national poll issues could subsume Assembly polls and thus could marginalise or prove to be disadvantageous to the regional parties. Many national parties too are wary of the BJP’s move.
Last August, the Law Commission had recommended holding simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies to save public money and avert disruption in governance with the country always being in the poll-mode and Election Commission’s code of conduct censuring launching of developmental projects.
The draft, submitted to the Law Ministry, however, cautioned that “holding simultaneous elections is not possible within the existing framework of the Constitution”.
“The Prime Minister called for widespread debate and consultations on simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas, keeping in view various aspects such as the resulting financial savings and consequent better utilisation of resources,” an official release said last week after Modi addressed a NITI Aayog meeting here.
The Government think-tank, NITI Aayog, too had last year suggested synchronised two-phase Lok Sabha and Assembly polls from 2024 to ensure minimum campaign-mode disruption to governance.