Synopsis
The government introduced bills in Lok Sabha for simultaneous elections, referring them to a joint parliamentary committee after a divided vote. Opposition parties criticized the move as unconstitutional and aimed at a presidential system, while the government defended it as electoral reform. Debate ensued on the bills’ impact on the Constitution and federal structure.
AgenciesThe government on Tuesday introduced in the Lok Sabha the contentious Constitution (One Hundred and TwentyNinth Amendment) Bill, 2024, and Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which propose to usher in the one nation, one election format, and then referred them to a joint parliamentary committee (JPC), which is being constituted, for further scrutiny and suggestions.
The bills were introduced with a 269-198 vote split, after many opposition parties opposed their introduction. While a Constitution Amendment Bill can be introduced with a simple majority vote (when a voting was called), it requires a two-third majority to be passed. The 269-198 voting outcome in this case also showed that despite major political parties issuing whips, both the BJP and Congress led sides were below their respective full strengths in the House when the Bills were introduced.
Among the BJP’s NDA allies, the TDP and Shiv Sena, through Chandrasekhar Pemmasani and Shrikanth Shinde respectively, passionately backed the instruction of the bills, whereas the JD (U) and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) members did not state their views.
The Opposing MPs called the proposed legislations a violation of the basic structure of the Constitution and questioned the move to curtail the tenures of the state legislatures to make them synchronise with those of the Lok Sabha. They also felt that the move was aimed at ushering in a presidential form of governance, even as the government defended it by arguing that it was in line with constitutional provisions and hailing it as a major step towards electoral reforms and curbing electoral expenditure.
Right before law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the bills, home minister Amit Shah made it clear that the PM wanted the bills to be sent to a JPC. Introducing the bills after the objections were voted out, Meghwal argued that the opposition’s scepticism was unfounded. “This bill is aligned with the process of easing the electoral process, which will be synchronised. There will be no damage to the Constitution via this bill.”
Meghwal said the Ram Nath Kovind-headed committee, which framed the proposal for one nation, one election, had conducted extensive discussions with political parties. “Nineteen parties then said ‘yes’ and 16 parties said ‘no’. So, we had majority there as well,” he said.
With the leader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi not present in the House, Manish Tewari and Gaurav Gogoi registered the Congress’ opposition to the introduction of the bills and demanded that the bills be withdrawn or sent to a JPC.
competence of the House on such bills, Tewari said the proposed bills hit at the very basic structure of the Constitution and the federal structure of the nation. “Beyond the seventh schedule of the Constitution is the basic structure doctrine, which spells out that there are certain features of the Constitution beyond the amending power of the House.”
