The One Nation, One Election Bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha today, December 17, sparking opposition protests. The two bills — The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024 and The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 — were introduced by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament.
Key Developments:
- Home Minister Amit Shah, addressing the Lok Sabha, suggested that the bill could be referred to a parliamentary panel for detailed discussion and debate.
- The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union Government introduced the bills to facilitate simultaneous Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections, a significant step towards implementing the One Nation, One Election concept.
- Both bills were approved by the Union Cabinet on Thursday.
Opposition’s Reaction:
The introduction of the bills triggered strong objections from the opposition benches. Congress leader Manish Tewari criticized the bills, stating:
- They violate the Basic Structure of the Constitution.
- State legislature terms cannot be tied to the term of the Lok Sabha, challenging the federal structure.
- He called for the withdrawal of the bills, citing concerns over legislative competency and democracy.
Background:
The One Nation, One Election proposal aims to synchronize Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections across the country, potentially reducing election costs and improving governance efficiency. However, the move has been met with resistance from various opposition parties, who argue it undermines the autonomy of state legislatures.
The bills are expected to undergo further scrutiny, with Amit Shah emphasizing a need for debate in a parliamentary panel to address concerns and ensure comprehensive discussions on the legislation.
