Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhu Assures Support to One Nation One Election Bill Amidst Oppposition from Congress
Shimla, Jun 19 (PTI) - In a surprising turn of events, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday assured support to the 'One Nation One Election' Bill amid the opposition from the Congress party. The joint parliamentary panel vetting the bill held a meeting with Sukhu, during which he stated that even if his party opposes the bill, it has communicated some suggestions to strengthen the democratic fabric of the country.
The meeting, attended by key committee members including Union Minister P P Choudhary and member Anurag Thakur, was aimed at understanding the concerns and provisions related to the proposed 'One Nation One Election' framework. Sukhu expressed worries about how tenures will align when MLA resigns and what happens when a government collapses mid-term, suggesting that some provisions be made for holding elections in a year to uphold democratic values.
Choudhary welcomed Sukhu's suggestions, stating that civil society experts, scholars, and Padma awardees from across the country have shown overwhelming support for 'One Nation One Election'. The Congress party's opposition to the bill was highlighted by Chaudhary, who pointed out that separate elections would lead to separate voter lists, multiple deployments, school closures during polling, and repeated election expenditures.
Former Union Minister Anurag Thakur hailed 'One Nation One Election' as significant for hill states like Himachal Pradesh, stating that simultaneous elections save time, money, and reduce disruptions. He also highlighted the practical benefits of the bill for political parties operating in these regions.
However, Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania expressed concerns about altering the Constitution's basic structure, which already provides for five-year terms for both parliament and state legislatures. The speaker noted that mid-term elections and breakdowns in governance have disrupted the existing structure.
Leader of Opposition in the Himachal Assembly and former chief minister Jai Ram Thakur firmly stated his party's support for the 'One Nation One Election' Bill, saying that while parties may have differing opinions, public sentiment is clear in favour of one nation, one election.
The joint parliamentary committee will engage in further detailed deliberations on the proposed framework before making any final recommendations. The Himachal Pradesh government shared its views during the discussions, with Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri also participating in the meeting.