• Cabinet nod to Ram Nath Kovind-led panel report on One Nation One Election
• Step closer to simultaneous polls for Lok Sabha and state Assemblies
• Bill in the upcoming winter session of Parliament likely

Manoj Kumar Pathak

New Delhi : In a significant political move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Cabinet approved the “One Nation, One Election” (ONOP) proposal on Wednesday, advocating for simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The proposal, which also includes holding urban body and panchayat elections within 100 days, is based on recommendations from a high-profile panel led by former President Ram Nath Kovind.

The government argues that ONOP will streamline the electoral process, reduce costs, and minimize logistical challenges in organizing elections across the vast landscape of India. A bill related to this proposal is set to be introduced in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament, where it must pass through both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Importantly, the proposal requires a constitutional amendment, necessitating ratification from all states and union territories.

The panel’s report touts various advantages of ONOP, including enhanced voter convenience, accelerated economic growth, and a stable business environment. It asserts that simultaneous elections would reduce disruptions caused by migrant workers seeking time off to vote, thereby maintaining supply chain integrity and production cycles. Furthermore, proponents claim that ONOP could help mitigate “policy paralysis” and the uncertainties associated with frequent elections.

Prime Minister Modi has previously advocated for the proposal, highlighting the need for a more efficient electoral framework during his Independence Day address. However, the approval of the ONOP has ignited a fierce backlash from the opposition, signaling a potentially tumultuous Winter Session.

Fifteen political parties, including the Congress, have voiced strong opposition to the ONOP initiative. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge labeled the proposal as “not pragmatic or practical,” characterizing it as a distraction from pressing issues ahead of upcoming elections. He asserted that the people would reject the initiative, which he views as a political gimmick.

Congress spokesperson Manickam Tagore predicted that the bill would be defeated in Parliament, echoing sentiments from other opposition parties. The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) criticized the government for failing to grasp the country’s real priorities, while the Samajwadi Party labeled the administration as “confused” regarding the implementation of ONOP.

In response, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has emphasized the financial benefits of the proposal, arguing that it would significantly reduce election expenditures and simplify logistical operations, which are currently cumbersome and expensive due to India’s diverse political landscape.

Opposition leaders have not held back in their critiques, with Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien dismissing ONOP as a “cheap stunt” from an “anti-democratic” government. This discourse highlights a growing polarization in Indian politics as the proposal garners attention.

The idea of conducting simultaneous elections is not new; it has been discussed since the 1980s. The Justice BP Jeevan Reddy-headed Law Commission suggested in its 1999 report that simultaneous elections could enhance governance and electoral efficiency. Historically, Lok Sabha and state assembly elections were held together in 1951-52, 1957, 1962, and 1967, but this practice was disrupted by early dissolutions of assemblies.

As the political landscape heats up, the ONOP proposal is set to be a focal point of debate in the coming months, with both the ruling party and the opposition preparing for a contentious battle in Parliament.