Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and other CMs call it an attack against democracy and federalism
The Union Cabinet approved on Thursday (12 December 2024) two Bills relating to the implementation simultaneous election to the Lok Sabha as well as State Assemblies. This will pave the way for the introduction of the draft legislations to Parliament during the Winter Sessions.
The first bill amends the Constitution in order to have simultaneous elections. The second amends provisions of laws that deal with Union Territories with Legislative Assemblies, so as to bring them into line with other Legislative Assemblies.
Chief Ministers from West Bengal and Tamil Nadu responded with sharp words, calling the draft Bills an "attack on democracy and federalism".
Sources say that no official announcement has yet been made, but the Bills will be referred to the joint committee once they have been introduced in the House.
The Cabinet has approved the draft legislation to hold simultaneous elections in the Lok Sabha, and Legislative Assemblies. Sources said that the Constitution Amendment Bill for simultaneous elections will not need to be ratified at least by 50% of states.
The Cabinet decided to not take up the issue of simultaneous local body elections. A high-level panel, led by the former President Ram Nath Kovind had recommended it. It would have required not only a Constitutional Amendment to add a new Article 324, but also ratification from half of the State Assemblies.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minster M.K. Stalin stated, "This unpractical, anti-democratic action will erase regional voices and erode federalism. It will disrupt governance. #INDIA, rise up! "Let us resist this attack against Indian democracy with all of our strength!"
In a separate X-post, West Bengal Chief Minster Mamata Banerjee described it as "an authoritarian encroachment designed to undermine India’s democracy and federal system".
"Our MPs are going to fight this draconian law in Parliament tooth and nail. Bengal will never bow down to Delhi's dictatorial whims. "This fight is about saving India from autocracy!" added she.
In an X-post, Jairam Ramesh reiterated Congress' opposition to simultaneous elections and shared Mallikarjun Kharge’s letter to Kovind's panel. In a country with parliamentary system of government, the concept of simultaneous polls has no place. The government's proposal for simultaneous elections goes against the federalism guarantees in the Constitution.
The second bill on simultaneous elections aims to align the terms of the Legislative Assemblies in three Union Territories - Puducherry (India), Delhi and Jammu & Kashmir - with those of other Legislative Assemblies, and the Lok Sabha as proposed by the Constitution Amendment Bill.
The government wants to consult with the Speakers of the various State Assemblies via the joint committee in order to have a wider consultation on the draft Bills. The Kovind committee submitted its report to President India in March. However, the Union Cabinet accepted it in September. The draft Bills represent the first steps in implementing simultaneous elections.
Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, has advocated for simultaneous elections in order to reduce poll-related expenses and the number of days that the government is affected by the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), which is implemented across the country when polls are held. Modi's government also noted that the country held simultaneous elections for both its Lok Sabha and Assembly between 1951 and 1967.
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