New Delhi: Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP Kanimozhi has once again opposed the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal, arguing that it violates the constitution and undermines federal rights. She warned that the bill would strip citizens of their right to elect state governments every five years, transferring this power to the Election Commission.
On Tuesday, the government took its first step toward fulfilling the BJP's long-standing promise of simultaneous elections by introducing the 'One Nation, One Election' initiative in the Lok Sabha. "DMK has consistently said that we oppose the entire Bill. We do not accept that there can be One Nation and One Election because it is against the Constitution. It is against federal rights and it is against the will of the people. People choose state governments for 5 years, I don't think you can take that right away from the people and give it to the Election Commission to decide how many years' government can last or not," said Kanimozhi.
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"So, this is completely against the state, against federalism and it is against the Constitution because federalism, the federal structure of the Constitution of this country is in the Constitution. This is actually shaking the basic premises of the Constitution itself. So, we do not accept this," added Kanimozhi.
DMK leaders call 'One Nation, One Election' unconstitutional and impractical
Another DMK leader and Spokesperson TKS Elangovan said, "One Nation One Election is not a practical bill. It is unconstitutional. They want one government. The BJP doesn't want state governments... Do they have the majority to run the government for the next five years?... This government will fall, we are waiting. BJP is planning to remove Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu from politics, and capture Andhra Pradesh and Bihar... Regional parties should understand that this is an attempt to remove them from power..."
Earlier, the 'Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024' and the 'Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024' were formally presented in the Lok Sabha after members voted on them. The legislation proposes conducting simultaneous elections for both Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
The bills will now be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for further review. Following the vote, which passed with 269 in favor and 196 against, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha announced the results. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, and agreed to send it to the JPC, in response to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks.
Agency
Published: 18 Dec 2024, 08:36 am IST
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