Mamata Banerjee opposes 'One Nation One Election' proposal, says move designed to 'subvert' Constitution

"I suspect that the instant design to subvert the basic structure of the Indian Constitution is aimed at converting our polity into a Presidential system," Banerjee wrote in a letter to Dr Nitin Chandra, Secretary of the Committee, formed by the Union Government to examine the 'One Nation One Election' proposal.

“What is ‘One Nation’ in this context? While I understand the meaning of one nation in a historical-political-cultural sense, I do not understand the exact Constitutional and structural implication of the term in the instant case. Does the Indian Constitution follow the concept of ‘One Nation, One Government? I am afraid it does not. Our Constitution conceives of the Indian nation in a federal manner,” the TMC supremo's letter said.

“Instead of consulting State Governments, which are, indeed, the very pillars of our federal Constitution, your letter brusquely informs us (as a political party) that the High-Level Committee is in agreement with the much-touted advantages of simultaneous all-India polls.

"We object to the most unrepresentative composition of this Committee and point out that no Chief Ministers are taken on board for fear of receiving practical objections,” the TMC leader said.

She stated that "The approach failed to consider that Parliamentary elections and State Legislative elections are substantially different in character… Numerous State level issues and debates will just be superseded by the so-called national election. "

“You seem to be conveying some sort of a unilateral top-down ‘decision’ already taken by the Central Government — to impose a structure that is certainly against the spirit of a truly democratic and federal one laid down by the esteemed Constitution of India. From the tenor of your letter, it appears that you view the proposed amendments to the Constitution as a mere formality that is to be got over with,” Banerjee maintained.

“In sum, the fundamental issue is not to discuss ‘the advantages of simultaneous elections of Parliament and the State legislatures’, as you have put it in your letter under reference. The issue is about why and how to arrange simultaneous elections in the Parliament and the State legislatures in the current circumstances and in the prism of the basic structure of our Constitution.

"The issue is not about “creating the ecosystem that would enable simultaneous elections,” as you have put it in your letter. The issue is that of evolving the philosophy and correct methodologies for addressing the questions above. The issue is not about imposing an unviable scheme from above. The issue is about plurality,” she pointed out.

The Chief Minister said, " During the last 50 years, Lok Sabha has witnessed several premature dissolutions, the reason being that no political dispensation could secure a stable majority in the House. In such a situation fresh elections is the only option when the cycle of simultaneous elections would be snapped or else all the states would have to go for premature elections although enjoying majority support.

"The same situation would also arise in a case of premature dissolution of any one the State assemblies. Under the circumstances, I regret that I cannot agree with the concept of One Nation, One Election, as framed by you. We disagree with your formulation and proposal," her letter said.