Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], June 14 : Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Saturday strongly opposed the Centre's One Nation, One Election (ONOE) proposal, terming it a direct assault on the federal structure of the country and against the spirit of the Constitution framed by Dr BR Ambedkar.
Speaking to ANI after a meeting with the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) in Chandigarh, Cheema reiterated the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab government's firm stance against the initiative, arguing that it undermines state autonomy.
"The JPC and its Chairman visited Punjab today to seek the views of the state government and political parties on One Nation, One Election. We have clearly presented our viewpoint before the Committee--this agenda is harmful to the country. It aims to dismantle the federal structure of the nation and goes against the principles of our Constitution. This move threatens the autonomy of states, and we strongly oppose it. We will not allow it to be passed," Cheema said.
In contrast, State Convener for ONOE, SS Channy, supported the initiative, claiming that "people want One Nation, One Election to be implemented."
"I welcome the JPC for coming to Punjab to listen to the political parties. We went around the state, and people want One Nation, One Election to be implemented. This will save time and money," Channy said, highlighting the potential benefits of reduced election expenditure and administrative disruptions.
Meanwhile, endorsing the One Nation One Election (ONOE) initiative, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra has said it will not only reduce election-related expenses but also speed up the country's development by opening new avenues.
Addressing an event at the Constitution Club in the national capital on Friday evening, Mishra said Lok Sabha and assembly polls were conducted simultaneously without any hiccups until 1967, since the first polls in independent India in 1952, as everyone was in support of simultaneous polls, be it the then ruling Congress or Communist parties.
"Everyone supported it, beyond political affiliations, be it then Prime Minister Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru or Communist leaders...," the former union minister said at the event, organised by Radheshyam Charitable Foundation, to raise awareness about One Nation, One Election.
He said the trend was "broken" due to many reasons.
"It was broken as some new states were formed, and their assembly elections were held... then ruling Congress dismissed the opposition ruled state governments by misusing Article 356; general elections were preponed in 1972... term of Lok Sabha was also increased by an year to 6 years during Emergency...," said Mishra said, who was the Governor of Rajasthan from 2019 to 2024.
Simultaneous polls across the country will significantly reduce poll expenditure and manpower. This is not about any political party, ONOE is "essential for the country's development," he stressed.
Mishra said it is fully "according to the Constitution" and said the opposition parties should be asked which schedule of the Constitution forbids the ONOE.
The senior leader recalled that even in 1983, the Election Commission felt the need to rethink on the simultaneous polls and said it was essential for the country. He said NITI Aayog in 2016, and other government commissions have also endorsed the ONOE.
The 129th Constitutional Amendment Bill for simultaneous national and assembly polls was tabled in the Lok Sabha in December last. It was later referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee. The Modi government had formed a High-level Committee on simultaneous Elections, under the chairmanship of former President Ram Nath Kovind, who submitted an over 18,000-page report to President Droupadi Murmu in March last year.