Didi opposes 'One Nation, One Poll'

TMC chief writes to Ramnath Kovind-led panel, says the move against spirit of federalism’

- 

REJECTING the idea of 'One Nation, One Election,' Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee on Thursday wrote to the high-level committee saying that it would be against the basic structure of India's constitutional arrangements.

In a letter to the panel headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind, Banerjee said that she had "basic conceptual difficulties with the principle" and also "difficulties with the methodological approach." She also said that simultaneous polls would be a "step towards Presidentialism." The Centre has set up the panel on September 2 to examine and make recommendations to hold simultaneous polls to the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies.

The high-level committee recently wrote to political parties seeking their views and interaction on a "mutually agreed date" on the idea of holding simultaneous polls. Letters were sent to six national parties, 33 state parties, and seven registered unrecognised parties.