Govt forms panel to explore feasibility of 'one-nation, one-election', Ex-Prez Kovind to head it

Oppn leaders question move, say it would pose threat to nation's federal structure 

PTI, NEW DELHI, SEPT 1, 2023 : The Union government has constituted a committee headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind to explore the feasibility of "one nation, one election", opening the possibility of Lok Sabha polls being advanced so that they could be held with a string of state Assembly contests. 

Sources said on Friday that Kovind will explore the feasibility of the exercise and the mechanism to see as to how the country can go back to having simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly polls, as was the case till 1967. 

He is expected to speak to experts and may also consult leaders of different political parties, they said. The government's decision comes a day after it decided to call a special session of Parliament between September 18 and 22, the agenda for which is under wraps. Since coming to power in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been a strong votary for the idea of simultaneous polls, which include those at local bodies, citing financial burden caused by almost continuous election cycle and jolt to development work during the polling period. 

The former President too had echoed Modi's view and expressed his support to the idea after becoming President in 2017. Addressing Parliament, he had said in 2018: "Frequent elections not only impose a huge burden on human resources but also impede the development process due to the promulgation of the model code of conduct." Like Modi, he had called for a sustained debate and expressed hope that all political parties arrive at a consensus on this issue. 

With the Modi government approaching end of its second term, there is a view in its top echelon that it can no longer let the issue drag on and needs to move decisively to underscore its purposefulness after debating on the topic for years. 

With the ruling BJP under Modi always animated by grander themes and big ticket ideas to rally popular support, the issue will also suit the party politically and catch the opposition off-guard, leaders in the party believe. 

Assembly polls are due in five states- Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Rajasthan- in November-December and they are scheduled to be followed by the Lok Sabha elections in May-June next year. 

However, the recent moves by the government have thrown open the possibility of advancing the general elections and some state polls, which are scheduled after and with the Lok Sabha contest. 

Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh assemblies are scheduled to go to the polls with the Lok Sabha elections. However, Opposition leaders on Friday slammed the government's move to set up a committee to study the feasibility of "one nation, one election", alleging it would pose a threat to the federal structure of the country. 

They alleged the ongoing meeting of the I.N.D.I.A alliance has rattled the ruling BJP which caused the government to set up a committee under former president Ram Nath Kovind to explore the possibility of holding assembly and national elections simultaneously. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge called the government's move a "diversion and distraction". 

"No matter how many diversions and distractions the ruling regime throws at the people, the citizens of India shall not be betrayed anymore," Kharge said on X, without making any direct reference to the formation of the committee. 

Kharge asserted that the countdown of this "autocratic government's" exit has begun. "140 Cr Indians have decided to usher change." Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said the country is already "one" and no one is questioning that. 

"We demand fair elections, not 'one nation one election'. This move of 'one nation, one election' is being brought to divert attention from our demand for fair election," Raut added. The Rajya Sabha MP also questioned the need for a special session of Parliament, scheduled to be held from September 18 to 22, during the Ganpati festival. CPI leader D Raja said Prime Minister Narendra Modi always talks about India being the mother of democracy but the government has taken a unilateral decision without discussing with other political parties. 

Delhi minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj said the BJP is scared of the INDIA alliance, and hence want to hold polls early. "The Union government is afraid of the manner in which 28 parties have come together and are meeting for a third time... They want to conduct the (Lok Sabha) elections earlier and for that, a special session of the Parliament has been called," he said. 

Priyanka Chaturvedi of Shiv Sena (UBT) echoed them. "They announced a special session amid festivals, what is the urgency? They (BJP) are nervous as this is their last leg, which is why they are trying to show off power".