TN Assembly adopts resolutions against Centre on proposed Delimitation process and ‘One Nation, One Election policy’

The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Wednesday adopted two resolutions against the Union government’s proposed delimitation process after 2026 and ‘One nation, One Election’ policy. The resolutions moved by Chief Minister M.K.Stalin was adopted in the House after he made a detailed speech followed by remarks by floor leaders of various political parties. Apart from the alliance parties of the ruling DMK, the main Opposition AIADMK also supported both the resolutions, while the BJP staged a walk out when Mr Stalin moved the resolutions, which were adopted unanimously by voice vote. The resolution against the proposed delimitation process by Union Government said “This august House urges the Union Government that the delimitation process to be carried out after 2026 on the basis of the census should not be carried out. 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.”

It said “This August House also urges that States like Tamil Nadu should not be penalised for implementing various socio-economic development programmes and welfare schemes for the benefit of people over the past 50 years.” Opposing the ‘One Nation, One Election’ policy, another resolution said “This August House urges the Union government not to implement the ‘One Nation, One Election’ policy as the “theory of One Nation, One Election is against the basis of democracy; impractical; not enshrined in the Constitution of India.” It said “Elections to Local Bodies, State Assemblies and Parliament were, at present, 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 decentralisation.” Moving the resolutions in house, Mr Stalin said while the Delimitation is a sword hanging over the head of Tamil Nadu, while One Nation, One Election policy was dangerous and autocratic and it should be opposed.