One Nation, One Election: M Veerappa Moily Critiques Modi Government's Federal System Impact

Congress leader M Veerappa Moily criticised the "one nation, one election" proposal, describing it as a threat to India's federal structure. He accused the Modi government of using this initiative to strengthen the dominance of a single party and leader. Moily, who served as law minister during the Congress-led UPA government, argued that this move contradicts the core principles of the Constitution.

The government has accepted recommendations from a high-level panel to conduct simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies. This decision follows a nationwide effort to build consensus. However, Moily pointed out that during UPA II, electoral reforms were discussed in seven national consultations without ever considering the idea of simultaneous elections.

Electoral Reforms and Stakeholder Consultations

Moily highlighted that under UPA II, extensive consultations on electoral reforms took place across India. The first meeting was held in Bhopal with active participation from Shivraj Singh Chouhan, then Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. These discussions involved political parties, activists, thinkers, and judges, focusing on ensuring free and fair elections.

He noted that the concept of "one nation, one election" was never raised during these consultations. Instead, the emphasis was on addressing issues like criminalisation and corruption in elections. Moily criticised the current high-level committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind for limiting its consultations to bureaucratic levels without involving major political or regional parties.

Concerns Over Regional Issues and Federalism

Moily expressed concerns that simultaneous elections could suppress regional issues in favour of national agendas set by the ruling regime. He argued that national and regional issues differ significantly and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of prioritising his image over constitutional values. Moily stated, "I don't think that the image of one leader could be bolstered up at the cost of the nation."

He further claimed that this approach threatens India's federal system by imposing uniformity in a diverse country. Moily warned that if these electoral reforms proceed, they might pave the way for initiatives like "one language, one culture," undermining India's cultural diversity.

The Congress leader reiterated his belief that the government's proposal aims to establish a single-party dominance at the expense of constitutional principles. He emphasised that such moves could lead to an erosion of India's cherished democratic ethos.