‘One Nation, One Election’ Bill deepens the fault of North-South: Nirja Chaudhary

Journalist Neerja Chaudhary speaking at the 15th VM Tarkunde Memorial Lecture in New Delhi on December 20, 2024. Photo Credit: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar

Noting the strong response to the ‘One Nation, One Election’ bill from the southern states, senior journalist and author Neerja Chaudhary on Friday (December 20, 2024) questioned the need to go ahead with the deepening legislation. “North-South Fault Lines”.

Speaking at 15^th Tarkunde Memorial Lecture, Ms Chaudhary said: “In 2017 the Law Commission’s consultation with political parties had a strong response to the proposed bill from the southern states and of course we heard from leaders like Chief Minister MK Stalin. of Tamil Nadu, strongly expressing their opposition to this proposed Bill.”

She said, “Yes, the southern states are concerned about the delimitation exercise in 2026…why go for something that deepens the north-south fault lines in the country now?”

Law Minister Arjunram Meghwal on Tuesday submitted two bills in the Lok Sabha to hold Lok Sabha and state assembly elections simultaneously.

After 90 minutes of debate, the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill was introduced in the House by Mr. Meghwal, and the vote was divided when the opposition members insisted on it. He also introduced the Union Territories Amendment Bill, which seeks to align Lok Sabha elections in the Union Territories of Puducherry, Delhi, and Jammu and Kashmir.

In her address on Friday, Ms Choudhary said the proposed law seeking to synchronize Lok Sabha and Assembly elections could be in the interest of national parties.

She noted that the emergence of regional parties over the years reflected growing regional and local aspirations, which national organizations could not meet, and which was a very important element in a diverse society like India.

Ms Chaudhary said that “as the bill is worded,” elections cannot be held at once before 2034. It’s not a number to push with.”

“Some say it’s optics that the party is going to pursue great themes that the prime minister is committed to, or that it’s a diversionary move to divert attention away from other embarrassing incidents the party has to deal with.”

‘complicated case’

Justice Madan B. Lokur (Retd.), Chairman of Tarkunde Memorial Foundation, expressed his belief that Parliament and concerned citizens will consider the views expressed by Ms. Chaudhary before the final decision on the bill that has been submitted to Parliament.

He said, ‘This is a complex matter for which not only laws but also some constitutional amendments are necessary.

VM Tarkunde, former judge of the Bombay High Court, was a prominent Indian lawyer, civil rights activist, and humanitarian leader. He is known as the “Father of the Civil Liberties Movement” in India.