Raijor Dal leader Akhil Gogoi criticized the Centre’s ‘One Nation, One Election’ initiative, alleging it aims to centralize power and weaken India’s federal structure. Gogoi expressed concerns that the proposal would diminish state autonomy and undermine the country’s federal system. He emphasized that the move could transform India into a unitary state, contrary to the principles of the Constitution.
Gogoi called on the Centre to retract the proposal, stating that simultaneous elections would not align with India’s democratic and constitutional framework. He warned that the initiative demonstrated an authoritarian mindset and could provoke significant public opposition if pushed forward. Gogoi highlighted that restructuring the electoral system in this manner could erode democratic institutions and upset the federal balance envisioned by the Constitution.
The legislator stressed that any attempt to enforce the proposal against the will of the people could spark a widespread democratic movement nationwide. He asserted that opposition parties and civil society groups would resist any actions that jeopardize the rights and powers of the states. The Centre’s plan for synchronized elections has sparked intense political debates, with the government citing cost reduction and improved governance, while opposition parties raise constitutional and federal concerns.
