The esteemed senior advocate and one of the country's top constitutional experts, Harish Salve, has expressed strong support for the 'One Nation, One Election' initiative. He has dismissed the opposition's claim that it breaches federalism, emphasizing that this step will prevent governance paralysis and unchecked expenses due to frequent elections.
In an exclusive interview with India Today, Salve remarked, 'Those who claim that 'One Nation, One Election' violates federal structure are not thinking it through. This is an inclusive step where every Indian is involved, not just the politicians.' As a member of the panel led by Ram Nath Kovind, Salve advocated for a synchronized electoral process across the nation.
'Voters Are Remarkably Intelligent'
Amidst intense opposition from various parties, the government introduced the 'Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill 2024' and the Union Territories Amendment Bill 2024 in Parliament on Tuesday. The opposition argued that this move centralizes power and infringes upon the autonomy of states. The Congress party described it as an attempt by the BJP to introduce presidential rule.
Salve refuted the idea that states would become subordinate to the Indian Union. He stated, 'States will always be governed by the party chosen by the people voting in their provinces. What if an elected government falls? There's no constitutional guarantee of a five-year governance.' Salve, the former Solicitor General of India, remarked, 'Voters are not just smart; they are astute and wise, and politicians need to acknowledge this.'
'No Rush for Immediate Implementation'
However, Salve stressed that this initiative cannot be rushed. 'One Nation, One Election cannot be implemented in the next 3-5 years. It requires a substantial national debate, and the government must foster a comprehensive consensus among the populace.'
'One Nation, One Election' Bill Introduced in Lok Sabha
The bill, upon introduction, saw 269 votes in favor and 198 against in the Lok Sabha. Following electronic and paper ballot voting, it was presented amidst significant uproar. The Minister of Law, Arjun Ram Meghwal, introduced the bill during a tumultuous session that reached the point of division before its introduction, echoing varied political voices on the subject. Meghwal formally proposed the bill's introduction in the assembly.
Opposition parties, including the Congress, opposed the bill, while NDA allies like the Shiv Sena and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) openly supported it. After division, the bill was submitted and subsequently referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).
