Mah Congress attacks 'One Nation, One Election' move

Pune, Oct 3 (UNI) Maharashtra Pradesh Congress senior spokesperson Gopal Tiwari on Saturday criticised the Centre's 'One Nation, One Election' initiative, alleging that the move reflected the ruling BJP-led alliance's desire to remain in power for an extended period.
Tiwari alleged that constitutional conventions and the autonomy of institutions were being undermined in the process of pursuing simultaneous elections. He also questioned the proposed interaction between the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) examining the legislation and Supreme Court judges.
The JPC, headed by BJP MP P.P. Chaudhary, had proposed a visit to the Supreme Court on October 6, with its agenda referring to an informal discussion with the Chief Justice of India and other judges on simultaneous elections. However, the Supreme Court subsequently declined the proposed interaction, stating that since the proposed constitutional amendment could become a subject of judicial review, such a discussion was not considered expedient or desirable, said Tiwari.
Tiwari further said Parliament has the authority to enact legislation, while the judiciary examines its constitutional validity when challenged. He questioned the appropriateness of discussions between sitting judges and a parliamentary panel examining legislation that could subsequently come before the Supreme Court.
He also referred to objections raised by senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal regarding the proposed interaction, and welcomed the concerns raised by him over the separation of powers.
Tiwari alleged that the proposed electoral reforms were being pursued despite opposition from various quarters and claimed that the development raised questions about the separation of powers between the legislature and judiciary.
The Congress leader also criticised the BJP's political approach and alleged that the proposed reforms were aimed at consolidating political power. UNI SP CDS