ONOE will erode autonomy of state legislatures: TMC
Times of India | 14 December 2024
12 Kolkata: Trinamool, a bitter critic of the ‘one nation one election' bills, on Friday came out with a detailed nine-point criticism of proposed legislations. Reiterating CM Mamata Banerjee's stance of ONOE being "undemocratic, anti-federal and draconian", the party said forcing all polls into a single timeline would undermine the federal structure of state legislatures.
"This is nothing but eroding the autonomy of state legislatures," Trinamool posted on X. Regional and local issues would be overshadowed by national narratives, favouring larger national parties while silencing regional voices, it added.
TMC said "curtailing or extending the terms of elected govts to fit a centralised schedule compromises the democratic mandate and constitutional provisions".
Studies had shown there was a 77% likelihood of voters choosing the same party for both state and LS elections in simultaneous polls, risking a slide towards ‘one nation, one party' autocracy, TMC said. "Managing elections for nearly 97 crore voters simultaneously is logically unfeasible with massive costs of EVMs, security and manpower," Bengal's party in office said.
"Claims of cost saving overlook expenses like new EVMs and additional security needs, undermining the argument for economic prudence," the party said. Frequent elections ensured continuous accountability, it added.
Trinamool said imposing a uniform election cycle restricted the electorate's freedom of choice and "diminishes the diversity and dynamism of India's democracy".
On Thursday, Banerjee called the plan "unconstitutional and dictatorial" that ignored every "legitimate concern raised by experts and opposition leaders".
Bengal govt had dissented on this before the Ram Nath Kovind-headed committee, and TMC said the bills "would not see the light of day".
Banerjee, referring to the nod to the proposed bills, alleged that Union Cabinet "bulldozed its way" and it would now be a fight to "save India's democracy from the clutches of autocracy". She posted on X: "This is not a carefully considered reform; it's an authoritarian imposition designed to undermine India's democracy and federal structure. Our MPs will oppose this draconian legislation tooth and nail in Parliament. Bengal will NEVER bow to Delhi's dictatorial whims."
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