The Congress party has criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over its push for “One Nation, One Election” by highlighting the need for a two-thirds majority to implement such a significant constitutional change. The Congress leaders argue that while the BJP has been vocally advocating for simultaneous elections at the national and state levels, they are overlooking the constitutional and procedural complexities involved.
The proposal to conduct one general election every five years, instead of separate elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, would require a major overhaul of India’s electoral system. The Constitution mandates that any significant change in the way elections are conducted must be approved by a two-thirds majority in both houses of Parliament. Congress emphasizes that achieving such a majority will not be easy, considering the diverse political landscape in India, where multiple parties represent various states with differing political interests.
Congress leaders argue that the BJP’s push for this idea is more about consolidating power at the national level, rather than focusing on the actual benefits of simultaneous elections. They contend that the proposal lacks proper consideration for the unique challenges faced by different regions of the country and could undermine the federal structure. In their view, it could centralize power and weaken the role of state governments.
While the BJP remains firm on its stance, claiming that simultaneous elections would save money and improve governance, the Congress believes that the real focus should be on addressing issues like unemployment, inflation, and strengthening democratic processes. They insist that the government must first ensure that these basic concerns are resolved before attempting to introduce major electoral reforms.
