'One Nation, One Election' bill tabled in LS

New Delhi: The government on Tuesday introduced the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha that proposes to roll out “One Nation, One Election” (ONOE) in the country after fiery debate, followed by a division of votes. The Union Territories Amendment Bill, which seeks to align elections in the Union territories of Puducherry, Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir with the Lok Sabha polls, was also tabled, even as the Opposition termed it an attack on the Constitution and an attempt to wipe out regional parties.

Introducing the two Bills, Union law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal asserted that the legislation will not tamper with the powers enjoyed by states and it will be sent to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed discussion.

Meghwal said the proposed Bills to simultaneously hold the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies elections did not attack the “basic structure doctrine as claimed by the Opposition”.

“Principles such as judicial review, the Federal character of the Constitution, separation of powers, secular character and supremacy of the Constitution have not been changed,” Meghwal said, adding that the objections to the Bills were political in nature.

Union home minister Amit Shah said Prime Minister Narendra Modi favours referring the Bills to a joint committee of Parliament for wider deliberations at every level. “Detailed discussions can take place in the JPC. The report of the JPC will be approved by the Cabinet. Then again, there will be a discussion on this (Bills) in the House,” Shah said.

The government introduced the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill 2024 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill 2024 even as Opposition parties caused an uproar in the Lok Sabha.

The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill 2024 was introduced in the Lok Sabha after a nearly 90-minute debate, followed by a division of votes. As many as 269 members voted in favour of the Bill, including the TDP and the Shiv Sena, and 198 against it. Meghwal introduced the Union Territories Amendment Bill through voice vote.

Congress member Manish Tewari, who led the attack against the Bill termed the move an assault on the basic structure doctrine that stipulates certain features of the Constitution are beyond the amending power of the Parliament.

“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. The essential features are federalism and the structure of our democracy. Therefore, the Bills moved by the minister of law and justice are an absolute assault on the basic structure of the Constitution and are beyond the legislative competence of the House,” said Tewari.

DMK member T.R. Baalu said: “The electors have the right to elect the government for five years and this right cannot be curtailed with simultaneous elections.”

“The Bills are aimed at maximising political gain and convenience. The Bills will finish off regional parties,” AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi said.

Trinamul Congress member Kalyan Banerjee said the Bills linked the tenure of state Assemblies to that of the Lok Sabha, thus undermining the mandate of the people.

“The state government is not subordinate to the Central government or Parliament. The bills take away the autonomy of the state Assembly. It is not an election reform but just the fulfilment of one gentleman’s desire and dream,” he said.

Backing the bills, TDP member and Union minister Chandra Shekhar Pemmasani said, “One nation, one election” will reduce expenditure on polls and enhance logistical efficiency.

Shiv Sena member Shrikant Shinde hit out at the Opposition, saying they were allergic to reforms.

More than 20 BJP MPs were not present during the voting on the ONOE bill despite the party issuing a whip. The party has issued notice to the MPs who were absent in the house, said sources. Sources, however, said a number of MPs had informed in advance about their absence due to various personal and work-related reasons.