NEW DELHI: The Congress has come out with details why it is against the Modi government's idea of simultaneous national and state polls saying the proposal is anti-democracy, will result in prolonged spells of President's rule, keep assemblies suspended and take away the voters' choice to throw out a regime.
The opposition party's stand has been made public in the wake of recent consultations the law commission held with various political parties over the issue. "Will the government tell us what will be the basis and form of one nation one poll.this is only an attempt to create ripples in political waters," Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said.
"The proposal of simultaneous election dressed up with fancy phrases such as 'One Nation, One Election' is antithetical to democracy. It is nothing but another example of authoritarian and dictatorship regime," he said.
Citing specifics the Congress leader pointed out in case a state government falls should the state wait for the next simultaneous election without a government instead of immediately going in for elections. "Is the objective to keep our assemblies suspended? If this Mr. Modi's idea of federalism," said Singhvi, adding that "long spells of President's rule are like tyranny of the unelected state."
The Congress leader further argued that the one nation one poll proposal would deny the electors a choice they have in voting out a government. Taking a dig at the PM, the Congress leader said that the centre had spent Rs 4600 cr over the past four years on its publicity and the amount was more than the estimated cost of all state and central elections.
"This shows that Modi government's concern for expenditure in elections is a jumla," said Singhvi. He expressed the doubt that the centre may hurt constitutional democracy in the country by pushing the proposal.