TNLA adopts resolution against “one nation one election”, delimitation

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on Wednesday ‘unanimously’ adopted separate resolutions opposing the idea of “one nation, one election” and delimitation exercise on the basis of the latest census.

The resolution was passed with the support of all parties, including principal opposition party AIADMK by voice vote.

Successfully moving the government resolution in the House against conducting simultaneous polls for Assemblies and local bodies along with the Parliamentary polls, which is claimed to be first in the country, Chief Minister M K Stalin said that the House “urges the union government not to implement the ‘One Nation, One Election Policy’ as the theory is against the basis of democracy; impractical and not enshrined in the Constitution of India. Elections to local bodies, State Assemblies and Parliament are being held at different times on the basis of people centric issues in a vast and diverse country like India and it is against the idea of democratic centralization.”

Can there be a more farcical policy: CM Stalin

Speaking on the resolution, CM Stalin said, “We must oppose the proposal of simultaneous elections as it would create a situation where the Assemblies elected by the people would be dissolved prematurely, which was ultra vires the Constitution.” Wondering if all the State Assemblies elected simultaneously would be dissolved altogether in the event of the fall of the government at the Union, Stalin sought to know if those in power at the Union would come forward to quit in the event of a fall in government in some states, which necessitated fresh elections. “Could there be a more farcical policy?” the CM asked, sarcastically questioning if it were a ‘magic’ to hold elections for 30 State Assemblies along with the Parliamentary constituencies, when the country was not ready to hold the Parliamentary polls on the same day throughout the country. “No one should allow the Constitution guaranteeing State rights, federalism and equal opportunity for all to be defaced and fall prey to the selfishness of soon-to-be-rejected people with Parliamentary majority,” the CM thundered in the House.

If delimitation were to be done after 2026; do it on the basis of 1971 population

Moving a second resolution urging the Union government not to carry out the delimitation process after 2026 based on the fresh census, the CM said, “Due to unavoidable reasons, if the number of seats on the basis of population were to increase it shall be maintained at the present ratio of the constituencies between the states in the State Assemblies and both houses of Parliament fixed based on the population of 1971.” The House urges that States like Tamil Nadu should not be penalised for implementing various socio-economic development programmes and welfare schemes for the benefit of the people over the past 50 years,”

Likening the proposed delimitation exercise to the Sword of Damocles hanging over Tamil Nadu’s head, Stalin said the reduction in Assembly and Parliamentary seats post-delimitation based on the population was a punishment meted out to states successfully controlling the population growth.

Already pleading with Union; TN will lose power to negotiate

Expressing apprehension that the current tally of 39 Parliamentary seats would be reduced for Tamil Nadu post-delimitation, the CM said, “Even with 39 MPs, we are pleading with the union government. What would happen if it reduced further? Tamil Nadu would lose its power to negotiate or place requests. The state will lose it rights. The state will lag behind. Hence, we insist that the number of LS constituencies in Tamil Nadu must not be reduced in the pretext of delimitation under any circumstance.”

Domination will endanger federalism

Alleging that the bias was shown against the southern states already in fund devolution and allocation on the ground of population, the CM said, “India is a great federal nation with the union of many states. No state is larger or more important than any other state. All states must be treated equally. Representation and allocation of seats to states on the basis of population would undermine the geographic, linguistic, economic and political factors. It will destroy the foundational principle of democracy. It will fuel the already simmering animosity. Exercising domination through larger representation (seats) will endanger federalism,” he added.