Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.
Credit: PTI Photo
New Delhi: Opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc on Wednesday opposed the Modi government's decision on ‘One Nation, One Election’ (ONOE) with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge saying it is “against Constitution” and something aimed at diverting attention during a poll season.
The Opposition also questioned how ‘ONOE’ could be implemented when the government cannot even conduct elections at one go.
Soon after the Cabinet accepted the recommendations of the Ram Nath Kovind-led high level committee, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge told reporters, “it is not practical...‘ONOE’ cannot work in a democracy. Elections need to be held as and when required if we want our democracy to survive.”
The ONOE is only an issue to “divert attention” and it is “against the Constitution…against democracy…against federalism. The country will never accept this,” he later posted on ‘X’.
However, BSP chief Mayawati appeared to deviate from the Opposition line saying her party's stand is positive towards the proposal but it needs to be ensured that its “objective must be in national and public interest.”
Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha floor leader called it “just another cheap stunt from the anti-democratic BJP” while asking why were Maharashtra elections not announced along with Assembly polls in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir.
“Here is why. The Maharashtra government announced the Mukhyamantri Ladki Behen Yojana in June. The first tranche reached women in August and the second tranche will reach beneficiaries in October. You cannot do three states in one go and you talk about 'ONOE'. Also tell us, how many constitutional amendments, including curtailing or extending terms of state assemblies, will be done! Classic Modi-Shah 'jumla',” he said.
Senior RJD MP Manoj K Jha said the thread of 'ONOE' broke in the 1960s after the single party dominance of the Congress eroded. He also said it has not been made clear how governments run if they lose confidence and elections are not held immediately.
“Will you run the government through proxy? With a mandate of 240 seats, Prime Minister Narendra Modi should speak about jobs and not indulge in diversion. We need to celebrate our diversity. Has India's democracy been affected by multiple elections? No, it hasn't. This obsession with ONOE is nothing but headline management,” he said.
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said he consistently opposed 'ONOE' as it “destroys federalism and compromises democracy”.
Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal said the I.N.D.I.A. bloc is against this idea and the Modi government has come up with this to divert attention from pressing livelihood issues.