The government tabled two constitutional amendment bills in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, aimed at synchronizing Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections as part of its ‘One Nation, One Election’ initiative. The move has sparked a storm of opposition protests, with concerns raised about its implications for democracy.
Law Minister Arjun Meghwal introduced the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill. The government is expected to refer the bill to a joint parliamentary committee for detailed consultations. As the single largest party, the BJP will chair the committee and hold the most seats. The initial term for deliberation is 90 days, but this may be extended if required.
The opposition strongly opposed the bills. Congress leader Manish Tewari called the proposal “beyond this House’s legislative competence” and demanded its immediate withdrawal. Samajwadi Party’s Dharmendra Yadav warned that “This is the path to dictatorship,” while Trinamool MP Kalyan Banerjee argued it “hits the basic structure of the Constitution.”
Watch the introduction of the Bills here:
MoS (IC), Law and Justice @arjunrammeghwal
introduces 2 bills in #LokSabha1⃣ The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024.
2⃣The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
@MLJ_GoI pic.twitter.com/fT03DH7KXe
— SansadTV (@sansad_tv) December 17, 2024
The BJP received support from two key allies – the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) ruling Andhra Pradesh and the Shiv Sena faction led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
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Defending the bills, the government said frequent elections cause administrative disruptions and financial strain. The proposal aims to streamline governance and enhance efficiency in India’s electoral system. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju accused the Congress of lacking “reasonable arguments” against the reforms.
What are the Bills tabled to bring One Nation, One Election
The first bill proposes amendments to align the tenure of state Assemblies with the Lok Sabha, starting from the 2029 general elections. For example, an Assembly elected in 2031 will automatically dissolve in 2034 to align with the next Lok Sabha election, even if it has not completed its five-year term.
The second bill proposes similar changes for the Assemblies in Union Territories, including Puducherry, Delhi, and Jammu & Kashmir, to synchronize their elections with state and national polls.
The provisions of these bills are expected to take effect after the 2034 Lok Sabha elections. Mid-term polls in case of Assembly dissolutions will only allow the new legislature to complete the remaining tenure instead of a full five-year term.
The bills stem from recommendations of a panel led by former President Ram Nath Kovind. The committee, which includes Home Minister Amit Shah, submitted its report in September, outlining steps to align national and state elections.
The Kovind panel asserts that these amendments will not require ratification by state legislatures, bypassing opposition in non-BJP-ruled states. However, reforms concerning local body polls and a common electoral roll will require approval from at least half of the states.
‘Hits basic structure of Constitution’
Critics argue the reforms undermine the federal structure and democratic processes. The opposition has accused the government of “throttling democracy” and prioritizing centralization. Kalyan Banerjee’s assertion that it “hits the basic structure of the Constitution” reflects a significant legal challenge the bills might face.
The bills will now move to a joint parliamentary committee for further discussion. The opposition has vowed to fight the legislation, raising questions about its constitutional validity and broader democratic impact. Meanwhile, the government remains firm on its push for electoral reforms to streamline governance.
The ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal has emerged as one of the most contentious political debates in India, and its outcome is set to shape the future of elections and governance in the country.
