“Elections Keep Power Accountable”: TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee Vows to Oppose ‘One Nation, One Election’ Proposal

Trinamool Congress (TMC) National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Monday strongly condemned the Centre's plans for "One Nation, One Election," calling it an attempt to strip citizens of their right to vote and undermine the government's accountability. Banerjee made the remarks outside Parliament, where the bill is expected to be introduced on Tuesday. The Union Cabinet approved bills on Thursday to implement the "One Nation, One Election" proposal, following recommendations by a high-level committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind. These recommendations were accepted by the Cabinet in September.

“A Joke and an Attack on People’s Rights”

Banerjee criticised the proposal, highlighting the irony of a government that holds staggered elections in states like Bengal and Jharkhand now advocating for simultaneous nationwide elections. "They who conduct Bengal's Assembly polls in eight phases and Jharkhand's in two phases now aim to hold a single election across the country. This is a joke. It’s like taking away the people’s right to vote in multiple elections," he said.

The three time Member of Parliament from Diamond Harbour emphasised that multiple elections serve as a vital mechanism to hold the government accountable. "In Bengal, we had the Assembly elections in 2021, followed by corporation elections, municipal elections in 2023, and now the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, with by-elections in between. With every election, people get the chance to hold the government accountable. The 'One Nation, One Election' idea is like appointing a guard who works for only five days a month and takes leave for the rest,” he added.

TMC’s Firm Opposition

The TMC has been vocal in its opposition to simultaneous elections. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had previously called the proposal an “authoritarian” attempt to undermine India's democratic and federal structure. "This is not a carefully considered reform; it's an authoritarian imposition designed to weaken India's democracy and federalism," she said on Thursday, adding that her party's MPs would oppose the bill in Parliament. “This fight is about saving India’s democracy from the clutches of autocracy,” she stressed. Echoing Mamata Banerjee, Abhishek Banerjee pledged to oppose the bill when it is tabled.

BJP's Plan and Opposition Resistance

The BJP-led central government may propose the formation of a Joint Parliamentary Committee to further deliberate on the bill. The 129th Constitutional Amendment Bill is expected to be moved in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. Given the strength of the NDA alliance, the bill is likely to pass with little opposition in the lower house. However, several opposition parties, including Congress, TMC, and Samajwadi Party, have expressed strong objections to the proposal.​