Congress says US midterm results expose risks of Modi government's One Nation, One Election plan

The Congress on Wednesday cited the outcome of the US midterm elections to argue that regular polls play an important role in holding governments accountable, warning that the Narendra Modi government's proposed One Nation, One Election (ONOE) policy could weaken that mechanism in India.

The opposition party also claimed that the US election results had restored the institutional balance essential to a constitutional democracy, alleging that this balance had been “dangerously disturbed” in India since 2014.

Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh made the remarks in a post on X, describing the Democratic Party's victory as a “stunning verdict” against US President Donald Trump and his Republican administration.

“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.

He added that the US midterm elections had restored the institutional balance that was central to a constitutional democracy.

“That balance has been dangerously disturbed in India since 2014,” he said.

Democrats' victory delivers setback to Trump

The Congress reaction followed the Democrats' victory in the US midterm elections, in which the party won control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The outcome dealt a major setback to Republican governance and is expected to increase congressional resistance to Trump's administration.

US media reports attributed the results to voter dissatisfaction over high prices, the war with Iran and allegations of government corruption.

The Democrats' gains are expected to give the party greater influence over congressional oversight and legislation, potentially making it more difficult for the Trump administration to advance its agenda without opposition.

Congress questions impact of One Nation, One Election

Ramesh's remarks brought the US election outcome into India's debate over the proposed ONOE framework, which seeks to synchronise elections to the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies.

The Congress has consistently opposed the proposal, arguing that holding simultaneous elections could weaken the role of state-level political contests and reduce opportunities for voters to hold governments accountable between national elections.

The party's latest criticism centres on the argument that separate election cycles allow voters to assess governments at different levels and provide institutional checks on those in power. Ramesh suggested that synchronising elections could significantly reduce the accountability mechanism that periodic midterm polls provide.

The Modi government has backed simultaneous elections as a way to reduce repeated election-related expenditure, administrative disruption and the diversion of government machinery for polling duties.