New Delhi:The Communist Party of India (Marxist) gave its submission to the Law Commission saying that holding LokSabha and Assembly polls together was inherently "anti-democratic" and negates the principles of federalism which is a fundamental feature of Constitution.

The panel had on June 14 written to all recognised political parties seeking their views on the issue. In his letter to the commission, CPI(M) General Secretary SitaramYechury listed the party's objections to the proposal stating that it goes beyond the ambit of law reform entailing major amendments to Constitution, and would run against both the "letter and spirit of our Constitution".

"The aspects of our Constitution, we believe, cannot be undermined, or tweaked. We believe that such a proposal is inherently anti-democratic and negates the principles of federalism which is a fundamental feature of our Constitution," he wrote.

The Law Commission will hold a two-day consultation with major political parties in New Delhi this week on the possibility of holding LokSabha and Assembly polls together. Yechury had thanked the panel for inviting his party to the consultation, but said that it "may not be necessary" that they would attend.

Seeking to give shape to the government's concept of "one nation, one election", the Law Commission's internal working paper has recommended holding the LokSabha and Assembly polls simultaneously but in two phases beginning 2019. The second phase of simultaneous polls can take place in 2024, the document states. The document has proposed amending the Constitution and the Representation of the People Act to shorten or extend the terms of state legislative assemblies to effect the move.