Backed ‘1 nation, 1 poll’ once, Shiromani Akali Dal to think afresh now

JALANDHAR: Though Shiromani Akali Dal had supported the ‘One Nation One Election’ proposal earlier, but after the Union Cabinet approved the report by former President Ram Nath Kovind, the Akali leadership appears to be having second thoughts. SAD working president Balwinder Singh Bhundar on Thursday told TOI that they would hold fresh discussions on the issue “in view of the change in the conditions and also factoring in fresh observations.”

Dissenting group - SAD Sudhar Lehar — leader Gurpartap Singh Wadala also echoed similar views, with even stronger arguments. However, both factions of the Akali Dal refrained from rushing with a reaction.

“When this was discussed earlier, the conditions and considerations were different, but now not only conditions have changed, but also there are other observations which need to be factored in. They cannot hold four assembly elections together, and this single fact leaves big questions on the proposal. Moreover, law and order conditions have also deteriorated, and there are much bigger challenges than a few decades ago, when the elections were being held simultaneously. We shall deliberate on the issue further within the party,” said SAD working president Balwinder Singh Bhundar. “We shall take a position on the issue only after discussions within the party,” he added

SAD Sudhar Lehar convener Gurpartap Singh Wadala went a step further, stating that in the recent years, it has become clear that earlier, the deliberations took place around the ostensible reasons, but experience of recent years show that the real purpose of ‘one nation one election’ is further centralization of the election process.

“The one perspective on the proposal around which Akali Dal had made its views was that it would help reduce the expenditure, much less hindrance to developmental works and other similar considerations. But now, other perspective are getting prominent. There is more focus towards centralization of everything, and this proposal is intended to increase centralization of the election process. This is not good for regional parties,” Wadala argued.

“This proposal will further squeeze the space for regional parties to manoeuvre. Elections at different times work as checks and balances on the working of the central and state govts. In the case of one nation one election, the Centre will be less accountable. We shall hold fresh discussions in the Sudhar Lehar on the issue,” said Wadala, while adding that focus should be more on electoral reforms.

After the SAD severed ties with BJP in 2020, and a tie-up did not materialise ahead of the 2024 elections, the party leadership is taking a fresh perspective on different issues.

Earlier, the SAD had supported ‘one nation one election’ before the Kovind panel.

Blatant assault on democracy: Bajwa

The Modi-led NDA govt’s approval of the one nation, one election (ONOE) proposal is yet another desperate attempt to mask its failures, said senior Punjab Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa. Launching a scathing attack on the central govt, Bajwa said that like the humiliating rollback of the farm laws, ONOE will meet the same fate.

“The people of India, especially Punjab, who deeply value democracy and regional autonomy, will reject this ill-conceived scheme. This reckless proposal not only dismantles the constitutional pillars of our nation but will also backfire, forcing the BJP into another embarrassing U-turn,” said Bajwa.

He said that instead of addressing the nation’s burning issues —unemployment, inflation, and infrastructure — the Modi govert is pushing this absurd plan. Bajwa termed the ONOE proposal as a direct assault on the essence of India’s democracy, which is accountability.