One Nation, One Election Proposal Sparks Concerns Over Devaluation of States' Regional Importance

Chennai: A conference organized by the DMK's legal wing has highlighted concerns over the proposed 'one nation, one election' policy, which many argue will compromise the regional importance of states. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, former Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi, and senior journalist N Ram attended the conference and expressed their dissatisfaction with the proposal.

In a scathing attack on the idea, Sibal warned that the proposed mid-term Assembly elections will undermine the fundamental structure of the states. "India is a union of states, which is reflected in our Constitution's Preamble," he said. "By diminishing the state, you're destroying its basic structure."

The proposal has sparked concerns among many about its impact on federalism and accountability. Sibal pointed out that every area of the federal structure will be affected by the simultaneous polls, making it difficult to measure the performance of state governments.

Senior journalist N Ram also questioned the sincerity behind the proposal, citing evidence of policy paralysis caused by the current model code of conduct. "Why announce new schemes only two weeks before elections?" he asked.

Former Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi echoed these concerns, arguing that the proposal is insincere. He suggested conducting thorough research on the proposed changes to understand their implications. The former CEC also questioned the benefits of reducing the spending limit for political parties, warning that it may not lead to cost savings as desired.

The DMK conference also touched upon other topics, including the Dravidian ideology's impact on economic transformation. Attendees attended the discussion and shared their perspectives on these issues.

It remains to be seen how this nationwide consensus will affect regional equality in a country with vast cultural, social, and economic diversity. Political parties, politicians, and stakeholders will need to carefully consider the implications of this proposal to create a healthy democracy that respects all states' unique characteristics.