One Nation, One Election not feasible: G A Mir

Anantnag, Dec 13: All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary and MLA Dooru, Ghulam Ahmad Mir, on Friday expressed doubts about the practicality of implementing the “One Nation, One Election” initiative in a vast and diverse country like India.

Speaking to reporters in south Kashmir’s Anantnag, Mir said that simultaneous elections across the country would be an unrealistic endeavor.

“India is a vast country, and the concept of ‘One Nation, One Election’ is beyond imagination here,” the Congress leader said. “We need to approach this issue with practicality rather than merely passing laws or orders.”

He said that parliamentarians would deliberate on the matter, and if a consensus were reached, the Congress would not object, as India operates on democratic principles.

However, Mir cautioned that the challenges of implementation could not be overlooked. “This proposal originates from those in power. If I was to suggest holding elections for Panchayats, sarpanchs, Councilors, MLAs, and MPs simultaneously tomorrow, would that be feasible,” Mir asked.

He said, first, the ruling party must clarify whether they are ready to conduct elections in a single phase across the states they govern.

“What happens if a government falls due to a no-confidence motion or if an elected representative passes away? Who will ensure stability and manage the subsequent elections? India operates within a democratic system, and such challenges must be addressed. This is not a minor issue,” Mir further asked.

In response to a query about the Darbar Move—the biannual shifting of the Jammu and Kashmir government offices between Srinagar and Jammu—The Congress leader called it as more than a mere government policy.

“It is a ‘traditional and balancing link’ between the two regions of Jammu and Kashmir. The relocation of offices to Jammu has historically brought a significant influx of Kashmiris to the region, creating livelihood opportunities for local residents and addressing unemployment to some extent,” he said.