Assam: Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has strongly opposed the ‘One Nation, One Election’ Bill, describing it as a direct assault on India’s federal structure and democratic values.
Speaking in Parliament, Gogoi criticized the government’s justification for the Bill, which focuses on cost savings from synchronized elections, arguing that the financial rationale does not warrant such a drastic change to India’s electoral framework.
“The government claims that crores of rupees are being spent on organizing elections, and it is trying to save money. According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), the cost of conducting the 2024 Lok Sabha elections was Rs 3,700 crores. This amount constitutes just 0.02% of the annual budget,” Gogoi pointed out. He questioned the government’s priorities, suggesting that saving such a negligible fraction of the budget cannot justify dismantling the existing democratic processes.
The Congress leader went on to criticize the BJP-led government for placing financial efficiency above democratic principles. “To save 0.02% of the annual budget, they want to dismantle India’s federal structure and hand over greater control to the Election Commission. This is the same Election Commission where there is no role for the Supreme Court in the appointment of its Commissioner,” Gogoi remarked, raising concerns about the independence of the institution tasked with overseeing elections.
Gogoi also underscored the Bill’s lack of overwhelming support in Parliament. He noted that the BJP and its allies struggled to gather significant backing for the proposal, securing only a slim margin of 65 votes to push through its introduction. “The NDA alliance could not achieve a two-thirds majority to pass this Bill, which reflects the absence of consensus,” Gogoi added, signaling that the legislation remains deeply contentious.
The ‘One Nation, One Election’ Bill seeks to synchronize elections for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, a move the government argues will reduce costs and *streamline the electoral process. However, opposition parties, led by the Congress, have expressed grave concerns over its impact on federalism, regional autonomy, and the broader democratic system.
As the debate surrounding the Bill intensifies, Gogoi’s remarks underscore the deep divide between the government and the opposition. The Congress and other parties in the opposition bloc have vowed to continue challenging the Bill, raising constitutional concerns and warning of its far-reaching implications for India’s democracy. The coming weeks are expected to see heightened deliberations as the opposition ramps up efforts to resist what it views as an erosion of the country’s federal structure.
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