The Congress on Thursday accused the government of attempting to divert attention from questions surrounding the electoral integrity of India’s democratic system, following the Union Cabinet’s approval of bills for implementing ‘one nation, one election’.
The bills, which are expected to be introduced in the ongoing Winter session of Parliament, aim to facilitate simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies.
The decision was made by the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Gaurav Gogoi, Congress’ deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, responded to the development by pointing to his party’s long-standing concerns regarding the integrity of the electoral process.
"In the past also, our party has raised many questions related to elections, electoral systems, and electoral integrity," he said.
Gogoi added, "Now let this Bill come, let us see what they are trying to do. But we have said in the past also there are many concerns among the INDIA bloc about the impact on the federal character of our country through this Bill."
He also criticised Prime Minister Modi’s contradictory stance on elections, stating, "PM Modi has not walked the talk, he talks of 'one nation, one election' and yet when it suits him...he does Haryana and Maharashtra elections separately. He does Gujarat elections separately. He does not even hold polls in states in one phase, he does it in five phases when it suits him."
Gogoi emphasised that the public was aware of broader issues within the electoral system, such as the role of election commissioners and their appointment.
"I think they are only trying to divert from the questions that are being raised in people’s mind with respect to the electoral integrity of our democratic system," he said.
In September, the government accepted the recommendations of a high-level committee for holding simultaneous elections, which will be implemented in phases for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies.
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