Does One Nation One Election Change our Politics? | Dr Jayaprakash Narayan on Simultaneous Elections

Summary

In this discussion on FDR India, Dr. J. Prash Naran addresses the concept of 'One Nation, One Election,' suggesting it's not a well-thought-out move. He argues that simultaneous elections require a constitutional amendment and consensus, which are currently unattainable. Dr. Naran points out that such a system could undermine democracy by confusing voter intentions and potentially strengthening regional parties. He emphasizes the need for clear accountability in government tiers and advocates for electoral reforms to enhance democracy rather than simplifying the electoral process.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ The proposal for 'One Nation, One Election' in India faces significant constitutional hurdles, requiring a 2/3 majority in both houses of Parliament and potentially the consent of most states.
• 🤔 The idea of simultaneous elections is not a new one, but its implementation could undermine the Westminster model of governance, which allows for the dissolution of the house to overcome political impasses.
• 🗳️ The current electoral system in India often leads to confusion among voters about the roles and responsibilities of different tiers of government, which could be exacerbated by simultaneous elections.
• 📉 The speaker argues that simultaneous elections could potentially set back democracy by encouraging voters to cast ballots based on sentiment rather than informed decisions about government performance.
• 🔄 The historical context of India's independence and the initial phases of nation-building allowed for simultaneous elections due to a unified national mood and trust in leadership, which is not present today.
• 💡 To improve democracy, the focus should be on clarifying the roles of different government tiers, ensuring local accountability, and educating voters on the impact of their votes.
• 🌐 The speaker suggests that regional parties might actually be strengthened under a simultaneous election system because voters' dissatisfaction with state governments would not be diluted by national sentiment.
• 💰 While simultaneous elections might save on the cost of conducting polls, the potential loss to democratic processes and accountability could be much greater.
• 🚫 The current political climate and lack of consensus among parties make the proposal for simultaneous elections unlikely to succeed in the near term.
• 🏢 Centralization of power and the disconnect between voters and the delivery of services are key issues that need to be addressed to strengthen democracy, rather than focusing on the timing of elections.

Q & A

What is the main topic of discussion in the FDR India interview with Dr. J. Prash Naran?

The main topic of discussion is the proposal of 'One Nation, One Election' and its implications for Indian democracy.

What is Dr. J. Prash Naran's stance on the idea of simultaneous elections in India?

Dr. J. Prash Naran is against the idea of simultaneous elections, citing that it is not well thought out, requires a constitutional amendment, and could potentially set back democracy.

Why does Dr. J. Prash Naran believe that simultaneous elections are not feasible in the current political climate?

He believes it's not feasible because it requires a 2/3 majority in both houses of Parliament, which is not currently available, and also because it's a contentious issue that the opposition has vowed to oppose.

What are the three serious problems Dr. J. Prash Naran identifies with the concept of simultaneous elections?

The three problems are: 1) It requires a constitutional amendment with 2/3 majority in both houses of Parliament, which is unlikely. 2) It's not sustainable due to the Westminster model of government where the head of government can dissolve the house. 3) It could set back democracy by making voters more confused about whom they are voting for and what tier of government they are voting for.

How does Dr. J. Prash Naran suggest improving the content of democracy in India?

He suggests improving democracy by clarifying the roles and responsibilities of different tiers of government, decentralizing power, and making local power more accountable to the people.

What historical context does Dr. J. Prash Naran provide regarding simultaneous elections in India?

He mentions that in the early post-Independence era, India had simultaneous elections for the union and states for a few general elections, but this was during a national building phase with a different political and social context.

How does Dr. J. Prash Naran view the impact of simultaneous elections on regional parties?

He believes that simultaneous elections could actually strengthen regional parties, as voters might not differentiate between state and national performances when voting in a single election.

What is Dr. J. Prash Naran's opinion on the role of the Supreme Court in governance?

He expresses concern about the Supreme Court's involvement in governance, citing an example where the court was to approve demolitions, and argues that courts should not govern but rather focus on their judicial duties.

What alternative does Dr. J. Prash Naran propose to address the issue of governance and democracy in India?

He proposes decentralizing power, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and making local governments more accountable, rather than combining elections, which he sees as confusing and potentially harmful to democracy.

How does Dr. J. Prash Naran evaluate the current national leadership's approach to balancing short-term welfare and long-term economic growth?

He views the current national leadership's efforts to maintain fiscal discipline and focus on long-term growth while satisfying short-term aspirations as a heroic task, but he is concerned that simultaneous elections could undermine this balance.