Rahul Gandhi Criticizes ‘One Nation, One Election,’ Labels It an ‘Attack on Union and All States’

Rahul Gandhi Criticizes ‘One Nation, One Election,’ Labels It an ‘Attack on Union and All States’

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed his view on Sunday, suggesting that the concept of “One Nation, One Election” is seen by him as an attack on the Indian Union and all its individual states. This perspective reflects his party’s stance on the issue, which has been a subject of debate and discussion in Indian politics.

“One Nation, One Election” refers to the idea of synchronizing the timing of all elections in the country, including national and state elections, to reduce the frequency of polls and streamline the electoral process. It aims to bring efficiency to the electoral system but has also been a topic of controversy, with different political parties holding varying opinions on its implications for federalism and the Indian democratic structure. Rahul Gandhi’s statement underscores the ongoing discussions and differences of opinion surrounding this concept in Indian politics.

Rahul Gandhi expressed his viewpoint on the matter by posting on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “INDIA, that is Bharat, is a Union of States. The idea of ‘one nation, one election’ is an attack on the Union and all its States.” This statement reinforces his belief that the concept of “One Nation, One Election” has the potential to impact the federal structure of India and the autonomy of its individual states. It reflects his perspective on the matter and the concerns held by his party regarding this proposed electoral reform.

Rahul Gandhi’s tweet, in which he criticized the idea of “One Nation, One Election,” coincided with the government’s establishment of a high-level committee led by former president Ram Nath Kovind. This committee has been tasked with examining the feasibility and potential implications of conducting simultaneous elections at various levels in India, including national and state elections.

The formation of this committee signifies the government’s interest in exploring electoral reforms, but it has also sparked discussions and debates among various political parties regarding the impact of such a move on India’s democratic structure and federalism.

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury made a notable decision on Saturday by declining an invitation to participate in the panel formed by the central government. This panel’s primary purpose is to assess the feasibility and potential implementation of the concept of “One Nation, One Election,” which aims to synchronize the timing of elections at various levels across India.

Chowdhury’s decision underscores the differing stances held by various political leaders and parties on this electoral reform initiative. It also highlights the complexities and differences of opinion surrounding this proposed reform in Indian politics.

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has voiced his dissatisfaction with the composition of the committee formed to examine the “One Nation, One Election” concept. He specifically lamented the exclusion of Mallikarjun Kharge, the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, from the committee. Instead of Kharge, the government has included Ghulam Nabi Azad, the former leader of the opposition, in the committee.

Chowdhury’s concerns about the committee’s composition highlight the political dynamics and considerations involved in the formation of such panels. The inclusion or exclusion of specific leaders and the representation of various parties can impact the committee’s discussions and outcomes, making it a subject of contention and debate in India’s political landscape.

The panel tasked with examining the feasibility of implementing “One Nation, One Election” includes a diverse group of members representing various fields and experiences. This committee is headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind and comprises individuals such as Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Ghulam Nabi Azad, President of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party, NK Singh, former Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission, Subhash Kashyap, former Secretary General of Lok Sabha, senior advocate Harish Salve, and former Chief Vigilance Commissioner Sanjay Kothari.

The inclusion of members from different backgrounds and expertise aims to facilitate thorough discussions and assessments regarding the potential implementation of synchronized elections across India’s diverse political landscape.

The government took a significant step on Saturday by officially notifying the eight-member committee. This committee has been assigned the crucial task of examining and making recommendations promptly regarding the feasibility and implications of holding simultaneous elections to various electoral bodies in India, including the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, municipalities, and panchayats.

The formation of this committee underscores the government’s interest in exploring electoral reforms that could potentially streamline and synchronize the electoral process at multiple levels of governance in the country. The committee’s findings and recommendations will likely play a pivotal role in shaping the future direction of India’s electoral system.

The committee’s mandate encompasses a comprehensive examination of the necessary changes to India’s legal and constitutional framework. Specifically, it will recommend amendments to the Constitution, the Representation of the People Act, and any other relevant laws and rules that would need to be modified to facilitate the realization of simultaneous elections at various levels of governance. This signifies the committee’s broad scope and the potential far-reaching impact of its recommendations on the country’s electoral and legislative processes.

In addition to recommending amendments to the Constitution, the committee will also assess whether these proposed constitutional changes would necessitate ratification by the states. This examination is crucial because certain amendments to the Indian Constitution do require the consent and ratification of a specified number of states.

The committee’s consideration of this aspect underscores the importance of ensuring that the proposed reforms align with India’s federal structure and constitutional requirements, further highlighting the complexity of the “One Nation, One Election” initiative.

The committee’s responsibilities extend to analyzing and providing recommendations for potential scenarios that could arise in the event of simultaneous elections. This includes addressing situations like a hung House, the adoption of a no-confidence motion, defection, or any other events that could impact the functioning of legislative bodies during simultaneous elections.

The committee’s examination of these complex and multifaceted scenarios aims to ensure that the proposed electoral reforms take into account the practical challenges and implications of synchronizing elections across various levels of government in India.