The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has opposed the concept of 'one nation, one election,' stating that simultaneous polls may damage the idea of parliamentary democracy. AAP argues that it is unable to deal with hung legislatures and may encourage the evils of anti-defection and open buying and selling of MLAs and MPs.
In a letter addressed to Niten Chandra, Secretary of the High-Level Committee on One Nation, One Election, AAP National Secretary Pankaj Gupta expressed concerns that the implementation of this concept provides an unfair advantage to the ruling party at the Union level over regional parties and those contesting against the center-ruling party in the states.
"The Aam Aadmi Party strongly opposes the idea of 'One Nation, One Election.' It will damage the idea of parliamentary democracy, the basic structure of the Constitution, and the federal polity of the country. 'One Nation, One Election' is unable to deal with hung legislatures and will actively encourage the evil of anti-defection and open buying and selling of MLAs and MPs," stated the AAP Secretary.
AAP emphasized that the tenets of the Constitution and democracy should not be sacrificed for narrow financial gains and administrative convenience. The party added that the cost savings from simultaneous polls are a mere 0.1 per cent of the Government of India's annual budget. Simultaneous elections, according to AAP, will detrimentally impact the Indian multi-party system, where several parties represent the voices of those previously marginalized in mainstream politics.
"The Aam Aadmi Party believes that ONOE poses a threat to the national agenda and, in turn, the party ruling at the Union level gains an unfair advantage over regional parties and other parties contesting the centre-ruling party in the states. It will detrimentally impact the Indian multi-party system, where several parties have stemmed to represent the voices of those who were erstwhile marginalised in mainstream politics. While notable exceptions exist, evidence suggests that a very large number of voters tend to vote for the same party when elections to both the state Assembly and the Lok Sabha are held simultaneously or within a gap of six months," he said.
The letter further read, "Voters tend to vote for the same party in the Assembly election for which they had voted during the Lok Sabha election. This creates an unfair advantage for the national parties. While dominant regional parties will also benefit from this pattern, smaller regional parties will bear the brunt."
The Central government established a high-level committee, headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind, to study the concept of simultaneous polls. The committee sought suggestions from political parties and stakeholders. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also opposed the idea, stating that simultaneous elections go against the guarantees of federalism contained in the Constitution and the basic structure of the Constitution.
As per the Ministry of Law and Justice, the consultation process extends to citizens, political parties, eminent legal authorities such as former Chief Justices of the Supreme Court and High Courts, constitutional experts, and former Chief Election Commissioners (CECs). In line with these efforts, on January 17, the Committee Chairman held discussions with Justice Munishwar Nath Bhandari, former Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, in New Delhi.