The BJP faces a significant challenge in advancing its ‘One Nation, One Election’ (ONOP) initiative, as it lacks the two-thirds majority required in the Lok Sabha to pass two crucial constitutional amendment bills. The bills were tabled in the Lower House on Tuesday, sparking intense opposition backlash.
Bills Tabled Amid Opposition Uproar
Law Minister Arjun Meghwal introduced two bills to amend the Constitution. The first proposes aligning the terms of state legislatures with the Lok Sabha, while the second seeks similar changes for union territories like Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry.
Major opposition parties, including the Congress, Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress, DMK, and AIMIM, criticized the proposal, calling it a threat to the Constitution’s basic structure.
Congress MP Manish Tewari called the bills “beyond this House’s legislative competence.” TR Baalu of the DMK described it as a move towards “dictatorship.”
Support From BJP Allies
Two BJP allies, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, backed the initiative, though opposition numbers remain a significant hurdle for the ruling party.
In a critical division vote, the BJP secured only 269 votes in favor, far short of the required two-thirds majority (307 votes). Opposition MPs secured 198 votes, leaving the BJP’s bill vulnerable.
Congress MP Manickam Tagore highlighted the shortfall on social media, stating, “The ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal failed to gain two-thirds support.”
BJP’s Numbers Problem in the Lok Sabha
Even with its allies, the BJP-led NDA has 293 MPs, while the Congress-led INDIA bloc commands 234 votes. To reach the two-thirds threshold, the BJP needs support from at least nine additional MPs.
The bills are expected to be referred to a joint parliamentary committee, where the BJP will hold the maximum seats due to its numerical advantage. Meanwhile, the BJP plans to issue notices to over 20 MPs absent during Tuesday’s crucial vote.
What is ‘One Nation, One Election’?
‘One Nation, One Election’ aims to synchronize Lok Sabha and Assembly elections across the country. This would mean voters elect their central and state representatives in the same year, significantly reducing the number of elections held in a five-year cycle.
As of now, only four states—Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh—vote alongside the Lok Sabha elections. Most states follow a staggered five-year election schedule.
Challenges Ahead for the BJP
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government faces an uphill battle to make ONOP a reality. While the proposal has received backing from allies like the YSR Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal, gathering sufficient support in both Houses of Parliament remains uncertain.
The opposition has accused the BJP of attempting to “centralize power” and undermine federal principles. Critics also argue that ONOP could disrupt the democratic process by forcing mid-term state elections to align with Lok Sabha timelines.
