Opposition questions PM's 'one nation, one election' push after EC excludes Maharashtra from upcoming Assembly polls

With the Election Commission of India (EC) announcing assembly election dates for Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir on Friday, the opposition has raised questions about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's push for "one nation, one election." The EC's decision to conduct elections only in these two states this year, while excluding Maharashtra, comes just a day after Modi's strong endorsement of the concept during his Independence Day address.

The EC announced that Haryana will vote in a single phase on October 1, while Jammu & Kashmir will undergo a three-phase election process on September 19, September 25, and October 1, with counting scheduled for October 4.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar explained the rationale behind the decision, stating that logistical and security concerns influenced the EC's approach. "Last time, Maharashtra and Haryana elections were held together. This time, with four states due for elections and heavy rainfall in Maharashtra, as well as several festivals lined up, we decided to conduct elections in two states together," Kumar said. He added that the additional factors of security force requirements also played a role in the decision.


In 2019, elections for Maharashtra and Haryana were conducted together in October, with Jharkhand voting later that year. This historical precedent fueled expectations that a similar approach might be applied this year. However, the EC's recent announcement has raised questions and criticisms from opposition parties.

Congress leader Pawan Khera expressed scepticism about the feasibility of the "one nation, one election" idea, pointing out the inconsistency in the EC's actions. "Just yesterday, PM Modi spoke about 'one nation, one election.' Now, they're only holding elections in two states. They can't manage even four states," Khera remarked.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray criticised the EC for excluding Maharashtra, suggesting that the commission was allowing the BJP-led government in the state additional time. Thackeray took to social media, questioning the EC's decision-making and highlighting what he perceived as the commission’s compromised integrity. "For all that talk of 'one nation, one election,' the Election Commission states 'constraint on security forces' as a reason to not hold elections in Maharashtra. What has changed under the BJP's leadership in J&K?" Thackeray wrote on X, criticising the commission's rationale.

Thackeray also mocked the explanation regarding rainfall in Maharashtra, implying that the commission's reasoning was insufficient. "Only Maharashtra has monsoons, not other states, according to the Election Commission. What a shame this once famed institution is turning out to be," he added.