T.N. CM Stalin moves resolutions against proposed delimitation process and ‘One Nation, One Election’ policy

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister opposes 'One Nation, One Election' policy and proposed delimitation process after 2026.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, moved two resolutions in the State Legislative Assembly against the Union government’s ‘One nation, One Election’ policy and its proposed delimitation process after 2026.

The resolution against the proposed delimitation process by Union Government read: “This august House urged the Union Government that the delimitation process to be carried out after 2026 on the basis of the census should not be carried out. Due to unavoidable reasons, if the number of seats on the basis of population were to increase, it shall be maintained at the present ratio of the constituencies between the States in the State Assemblies and both Houses of Parliament fixed based on the population of 1971.”

Furthermore, the resolution said that States like Tamil Nadu should not be penalised for implementing various socio-economic development programmes and welfare schemes for the benefit of people over the past 50 years.

The resolution against the ‘One Nation, One Election’ policy urged the Union government not to implement the policy as the “theory of One Nation, One Election is against the basis of democracy; impractical; not enshrined in the Constitution of India.” The resolution further said that the elections to Local Bodies, State Assemblies and Parliament were, at present, held at different times on the basis of people-centric issues in a vast and diverse country like India, and the proposed policy went against the idea of democratic decentralisation.

Speaking while moving the two resolutions in the floor of the Assembly, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said: “First, ‘One Nation, One Election’ policy is a dangerous, autocratic thought and it needs to be opposed. Second, in the name of a delimitation process based on population, there is a conspiracy being carried out with an intention to reduce the representation of Tamil Nadu (in Parliament). We need to oppose both in one voice. “ He added that the ‘One Nation, One Election’ policy was impractical and went against the basic fundamentals of the Indian Constitution and also went against the ‘free and fair’ elections enshrined in the Constitution.

“If elections are held at the same time, it will necessitate dissolving democratically-elected State Legislative Assemblies before their term is completed, and this would go against the Indian Constitution. If the Union government loses its majority, will they dissolve all State Assemblies and hold simultaneous elections across India? If, there arises a situation in States where the State government falls, will those in power at the Union government come forward to hold elections? Is there anything more comical than this? Not just elections for Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, is it even possible to hold simultaneous elections for local bodies?” he asked.

Mr. Stalin said that the local bodies were under the control of the State governments and it went against the principles of federalism to state that elections for local bodies would also be held simultaneously. He added that nobody should fall for the self-interest of those in power at the Centre to meddle with the Indian Constitution in the interest of State rights, federalism and equal opportunities enshrined in it.