In a staunch stance against the “One Nation, One Poll” proposal by the Modi government, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) deems it dangerous, illegal, and contrary to the envisioned federal structure in the Constitution. The Union Government, spearheaded by former President Ramnath Kovind, has established a high-level committee to explore the feasibility of simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The DMK has been steadfast in its opposition to this concept since its inception by Prime Minister Modi.
In a video posted last September, MK Stalin expressed his apprehension over Union Government’s advocacy for ‘One Nation – One Election,’ denouncing it as a direct assault on India’s federal structure. Emphasising the move as a step towards centralised power, he argued that it contradicts the essence of India as a union of states. Following an invitation from the committee, which sought public opinion and suggestions on the matter, various stakeholders and state governments have communicated their perspective.
Highlighting the Law Commission’s 2022 initiative to gather opinions on simultaneous elections to assemblies and the Lok Sabha, the Union Government has now expanded the panel’s scope to include views on simultaneous polls for municipalities and panchayats. The unexpected announcement and the subsequent formation of a high-level committee have raised suspicions, with the individual asserting that ‘One Nation, One Election’ could pave the way for dictatorship rather than promoting democracy.
The Union BJP Government's push for 'One Nation – One Election' is a blatant attempt to undermine our federal structure. It's a move towards centralised power that goes against the essence of #INDIA, a union of states. This abrupt announcement and the subsequent high-level… pic.twitter.com/gAB80TVv16
— M.K.Stalin – தமிழ்நாட்டை தலைகுனிய விடமாட்டேன் (@mkstalin) September 3, 2023
In response to a letter dated January 1, 2024, from the high-level committee led by former President Ramnath Kovind, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has reiterated its staunch opposition to the “One Nation, One Election” concept, deeming it dangerous and illegal. The party has urged the committee, tasked with exploring the feasibility of simultaneous elections, to cease seeking views on this idea immediately. The DMK warned that failure to do so would compel the party to pursue appropriate legal measures.
The DMK’s communication highlighted its prior opposition to the proposal initiated by the BJP government, expressing discontent with the lack of direct communication from the Law Commission after the party’s initial objection. The letter emphasised that any constitutional amendment for simultaneous elections would infringe upon states’ rights and adversely impact center-state relations.
The party categorically stated, “This is a dangerous idea that will have a serious impact on centre-state relations. Besides, it would also have an impact on the union government.” The DMK cautioned against the high-level committee appeasing the power-hungry BJP government and supporting attempts to destabilise or modify the Constitution, which ensures equal opportunity for all.
Notably, the DMK highlighted the Law Commission’s 2022 initiative seeking opinions on simultaneous polls for Assemblies and the Lok Sabha. The Union government has since expanded the panel’s purview to include views on conducting simultaneous elections for municipalities and panchayats.
‘ஒரே நாடு ஒரே தேர்தலுக்கு‘ திமுக எதிர்ப்பு தெரிவித்து உயர்நிலைக் குழுவிற்கு கடிதம்! pic.twitter.com/2YKs5wtMkd
— DMK (@arivalayam) January 17, 2024
In a strongly worded letter to the high-level committee led by former President Ramnath Kovind, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has reiterated its resolute opposition to the “One Nation, One Poll” concept, labelling it as impractical and in direct violation of the Constitution. The party asserts that simultaneous elections to the Centre and states would necessitate dissolving all state assemblies prematurely, undermining the principles of free and fair elections.
The DMK contends that the proposed move would adversely impact the delicate balance between the Centre and states, compromising the federal structure and leading the country towards a presidential form of rule. Emphasising the constitutional delineation of responsibilities, the party argues that local bodies, including municipalities and village panchayats, fall under the state’s purview, making the committee’s exploration of simultaneous elections for these bodies beyond its jurisdiction.
Categorically denouncing the “One Nation, One Poll” idea as impractical and against the Constitution’s basic structure, the DMK warns that its implementation would lead to the dissolution of state assemblies, hinder democratic processes, and disadvantage national and state parties. The party underscores the potential financial burden, stating that the massive scale-up in infrastructure, election commissioners, and officials would render the proposal economically unviable.
While the majority of the I.N.D.I. Alliance partners have voiced opposition to the concept, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC) outrightly rejects it. However, former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam from the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) expresses support for “One Nation One Poll” and suggests constitutional amendments for its realisation.
In a tweet from September, when he was part of the NDA, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami strongly advocates for simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, highlighting potential benefits such as saving time, reducing costs, and providing an uninterrupted governance period.
Contrastingly, the DMK’s historical opposition dates back to 2018, when then Leader of the Opposition and DMK President MK Stalin conveyed his party’s firm disapproval to the Law Commission. In his letter, Stalin argued that simultaneous elections contradicted the Constitution and democratic principles. He pointed out the Law Commission’s 170th Report in 1999, which, at the BJP-led government’s request, studied the issue, yet no action was taken on its recommendations.
Moreover, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law, and Justice, in its 79th Report in 2015, acknowledged the difficulty in gaining consensus among political parties and deemed the feasibility of simultaneous elections challenging.
As the debate on “One Nation, One Poll” intensifies, the DMK’s unyielding stand against the proposal underscores broader concerns about its impact on India’s democratic fabric, constitutional principles, and the intricate relationship between the central and state governments. The party’s warning of potential legal action further heightens the contentious nature of the ongoing discussion, making the future trajectory of this proposal uncertain in India’s political landscape.
The DMK’s strong stance against the “One Nation, One Election” concept underscores the ongoing debate over the potential implications of such a move on India’s federal structure and democratic principles. As the high-level committee faces resistance from political quarters, the future trajectory of discussions on this contentious issue remains uncertain.
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