Opposition to One Nation One Election Grows as BJP Backs Plan in Bengaluru Talks
Opposition to One Nation One Election Grows as BJP Backs Plan in Bengaluru Talks
In Bengaluru, Congress and AAP oppose ONOE while BJP supports it during a JPC session on constitutional amendments for simultaneous polls.
In Bengaluru, a Joint Parliamentary Study Committee session on the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill brought a high-stakes clash over the government’s proposed One Nation One Election. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC president D.K. Shivakumar rejected the ONOE plan, calling it a politically motivated power-centralising scheme that would seriously damage the federal structure by weakening the states and threaten the democratic system. He noted that the Karnataka Legislative Assembly had already passed a resolution opposing ONOE and read that resolution aloud at the meeting, describing the move as a ploy to suppress voices from regional and opposition parties.
BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra, by contrast, argued that simultaneous elections would ease the burden on the state exchequer and help the bureaucracy stay focused on development. His stance represents a broader party push in favour of the plan as a mechanism to streamline governance and elections. The dialogue featured leaders from several parties who presented their views and submitted representations to JPC chair P.P. Chaudhary and Sambit Patra, both BJP MPs, underscoring the politically charged nature of the debate.
The Aam Aadmi Party added its perspective with a nine-point critique, contending that Centre’s reasons for simultaneous polls are neither fully relevant nor resolved by the current amendment. It pointed out that election expenditure is estimated to be around 0.25% of the Union budget, arguing that the proposed changes fail to clearly address how much could be saved or how such savings would be realized. While the AAP conceded that the amendment tackles some administrative technicalities, it argued that broader constitutional and financial implications cannot be ignored. Representatives emphasized the need for a plan that respects federalism while ensuring cost-effective, fair elections.
The session highlighted a broader national debate about whether India should move toward nationwide elections or preserve state-level electoral autonomy. As parties deliberate, the JPC will weigh constitutional changes and their financial and democratic consequences before any final recommendations.
