GUWAHATI: The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, were formally introduced in the Lok Sabha by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal following a vote of members on Tuesday, December 17. The proposed legislation aims to implement 'One Nation, One Election', synchronizing both Lok Sabha and state assembly polls. The bills were subsequently referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed discussions.
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The Speaker of the Lok Sabha announced the results of the vote on the bill’s introduction, with 269 members voting in favour (yes) and 196 against (No).
During the debate, Amit Shah argued that the bill should be referred to the JPC for deeper deliberations, as suggested by Prime Minister Modi during cabinet approval. Meghwal also introduced amendments to 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, which align assembly elections in Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry with the proposed simultaneous elections.
However, the proposal faced strong opposition from various quarters. Congress MP Manish Tewari opposed the move, arguing that the bills undermine the basic structure of the Constitution, which includes federalism and the core principles of democracy.
DMK MP TR Baalu described the bill as anti-federal, echoing his leader M.K. Stalin’s view that it violates the electors' right to choose their government every five years. Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav also voiced opposition, expressing concern that the bill threatens the fundamental spirit of the Constitution.
TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee added that the bill undermines the autonomy of state legislative assemblies, stating that it contravenes the basic structure of the Constitution. He emphasized that state governments and their legislative bodies are not subordinate to the central government or Parliament.