New Delhi [India]: Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi on Tuesday criticized the One Nation, One Election Bill, describing it as an “Anti-Constitutional Bill” that undermines India’s federal structure.
Gandhi reaffirmed the Congress party’s opposition to the proposed legislation, stating, “Anti-Constitutional Bill. It’s against the federalism of our nation. We are opposing the Bill.”
Revolutionary Socialist Party MP NK Premchandran also demanded the bill’s withdrawal. He remarked, “The government desires to send the Bill to the JPC. We are totally against the Bill, and our demand was to withdraw the Bill. Now, the Bill is introduced, and we will demand that it be sent to the JPC.”
The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024 and The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 were officially introduced in the Lok Sabha after a vote among members. The proposed bill seeks to establish simultaneous elections for both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, aligning with the “One Nation, One Election” concept. It is set to undergo detailed deliberations in a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).
Following the introduction of the bill, Lok Sabha Speaker announced the voting results, with 269 members voting in favour (Ayes) and 196 against (Noes). This announcement followed Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal’s presentation of the bill and his acceptance of referring it to the JPC, as suggested by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Explaining the government’s stance in the Lok Sabha, Amit Shah stated, “When the One Nation, One Election Bill was taken up in the cabinet for approval, PM Modi had said that it should be sent to the JPC for detailed discussion. If the Law Minister is willing to send the bill to JPC, the discussion on its introduction can end.”
Additionally, Meghwal introduced another bill to amend laws related to Union Territories, including the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963, the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019. These amendments aim to synchronize assembly elections in Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry with the proposed simultaneous elections framework.