West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday expressed her disagreement with the idea of ‘One Nation, One Election’ which proposes simultaneous polls to Lok Sabha and state assemblies. In a letter, written to the high-level committee led by former President Ramnath Kovind, the Bengal CM mentioned that the idea could be in opposition to the essential construction of India’s constitutional preparations.
Banerjee additionally mentioned that in 1952, the primary normal elections have been concurrently carried out for the central and state ranges.
“I remorse that I can’t agree with the idea of ‘One Nation, One Election’, as framed by you. We disagree together with your formulation and proposal,” she wrote, reported PTI.
“Non-simultaneous federal and state elections are a primary characteristic within the Westminster system which shouldn’t be altered. To paraphrase, non-simultaneity is a part of the essential construction of the Indian Constitutional preparations,” she added.
The idea of One Nation One Election centres across the concept to carry elections to the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies concurrently with voting happening concurrently as a substitute of assorted elections all year long.
The observe is just not new to India because it was adopted until 1967 however was discontinued later resulting from a number of elements comparable to dismissals, defections, and dissolutions of presidency.
A high-level committee has been fashioned to look into the potential of ‘One Nation, One Election’ within the nation with Kovind because the Chairperson.
Final 12 months in November, Kovind referred to as it a matter of nationwide curiosity and mentioned that every one the events have been requested to provide their constructive assist.
He additionally mentioned that the celebration on the Centre will likely be benefitted from this, be it BJP, Congress, or another celebration.
The present Narendra Modi authorities has been advocating the reform and so is Kovind, who in his deal with to the Parliament in 2018 talked about One Nation One Election as one of many reforms proposed by the federal government.