New Delhi: What else could spark a war of words between Delhi’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party and the Centre, with the former strongly opposing the ‘one nation, one election’ proposal, calling it “unconstitutional” and “against the principles of democracy” Where is it? The Arvind Kejriwal-led party held a press conference on Monday, saying the Centre’s proposal was “a front to legitimize BJP’s alleged ‘Operation Lotus’ and horse-trading.”
Addressing the press conference, senior AAP leader and MLA Atishi said, “If no party gets a majority, the MLAs and MPs can directly elect the CM and PM through a presidential-style vote.”
Why are you opposing ‘One Nation, One Election’?
Delhi’s ruling party has submitted a 12-page reply to the National Law Commission highlighting its concerns against the One Nation One Election proposal. Parliament has the power to amend the constitution. Still, it cannot change its basic structure, as stated by a 13-judge bench of the Supreme Court in the landmark judgment in the Kesavananda Bharti case, the AAP MLA said.
Hitting out at the BJP-led government at the Centre, Atishi said, “The basic structure of the Constitution guarantees parliamentary democracy to the country. The legislature can scrutinize the government through questions, motions, no-confidence motions, adjournment motions.” and debate. The government runs as long as it has the confidence of the House. But in One Nation One Election scheme, this whole concept changes.
The AAP MLA said that if the resolution is passed, the resource and cash-rich parties will suppress the issues of the states with the help of money and muscle power and also the simultaneous Lok Sabha elections will affect the decision of the voters. There are gatherings and gatherings.
The Central Government proposed One Nation, One Election in front of the Law Commission
Law commission sought opinion from political parties in 2022
When we examine it deeply, many worrying facts come to the fore.
If One Nation, One Election is implemented, then democracy will get a big blow.
,@AtishiAAP pic.twitter.com/e4qLSUMgVO— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) January 23, 2023
The AAP spokesperson said, “If elections are held simultaneously, state-centric issues will be out of public discourse as it will become a game controlled by powerful and resource-rich parties.”
“There are patterns which indicate that different sections of the society vote for two completely different parties in state and central elections. Elections will become a game of money and muscle power instead of being a democratic exercise. Will turn into.” spirit and principle” he continued.
Atishi also said, “By introducing a “constructive vote of no confidence”, simultaneous elections will undermine democracy and the people’s right to choose and hold their representatives accountable. In today’s situation, elections are held again and People have the right to take their own decision again. And people can vote again and elect a new government. But in the ‘One Nation, One Election’ system, people will have to wait till the next election.”
There is another dangerous thing in this proposal which is called ‘constructive no-confidence’ i.e. if any government falls after no-confidence motion, then the same Chief Minister or Prime Minister will continue in his post until another one is formed. Government. This means that governments can run for many years despite not having a majority in the House, as elections can only be held after five years.
The MLA said, “The proposed mechanism for selecting the Prime Minister/Chief Minister in the event of a hung Parliament/Assembly is impractical, dangerous and will lead to institutional defection of legislators. The most dangerous aspect of the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal is that If no one’s government is formed or no party gets majority, then how will the election of Prime Minister or Chief Minister be held because election can be held only after 5 years, in this situation horse-trading will be legal and constitutional.”
He concluded by saying that “To save 5000 crore rupees in total in 5 years i.e. spending one thousand crore rupees in a year the democracy and people’s rule of our country is being put in danger today. Aam Aadmi Party Strongly opposes this proposal of ‘One Nation, One Election’. It is unconstitutional and against the principle of democracy.”
The Arvind Kejriwal-led party’s response comes a month after the Law Commission sought comments from stakeholders, including political parties and the Election Commission, on the proposal to hold simultaneous elections in the country.
(with agency inputs)