The Congress party cited the US midterm election results to criticize the proposed 'One Nation, One Election' (ONOE) system in India.
Leaders Jairam Ramesh and KC Venugopal argued that mid-term elections are vital democratic tools that enforce public accountability on ruling governments.
They warned that holding simultaneous elections under ONOE would blunt voter checks and weaken the electorate's power to hold leaders accountable.
Cong Cites US Mid-Term Results, Says ONOE Will Blunt Instrument To Enforce Accountability
Jairam Ramesh and KC Venugopal argue US midterm outcomes show the power of periodic elections to hold governments accountable, warning the Modi government's ONOE framework will blunt democratic checks
Summary
The Congress on Wednesday said the results of the US mid-term elections demonstrated the power of such polls to enforce accountability, and claimed that the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal advocated by the Modi government would significantly blunt that instrument.
The opposition party also said the US mid-term elections had restored the institutional balance that was central to a constitutional democracy, alleging that this balance has been “dangerously disturbed” in India since 2014.
The Congress reaction came after the Democrats won control of the US House of Representatives and the Senate, delivering a shockingly decisive rebuke to Republican governance and setting the stage for greater congressional resistance to President Donald Trump.
The results reflected voters’ frustrations over high prices, the war with Iran and alleged government corruption, according to US media reports.
In a post on X, Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh described the results as a “stunning verdict” against Trump.
“Personalities aside, the results demonstrate the power of mid-term polls to enforce accountability. In our own country, the ONOE (One Nation, One Election) idea that is being advocated by the Modi government will significantly blunt that instrument,” Ramesh said.
The US mid-term elections have also restored the institutional balance that was at the core of a constitutional democracy, he said.
“That balance has been dangerously disturbed in India since 2014,” Ramesh added.
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