Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi recommended that the “One Nation, One Election” bill be referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for in-depth deliberations after it was brought up for approval in the cabinet. The bill aims to hold simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and the state assemblies across the country.
“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.” Shah said.
Union Minister of State (MoS) for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal endorsed Shah’s comments and suggested that a JPC be established to help with a thorough debate on the bill. Meghwal noted that the High-Level Committee has previously held in-depth deliberations on the plan in response to criticism from opposition members.
On the contrary, DMK MP TR Baalu opposed the bill, stating, “I oppose the 129th Constitution Amendment Bill, 2024. As my leader M.K. Stalin has said, it is anti-federal. The electors have the right to elect the government for five years, and this right cannot be curtailed with simultaneous elections.”
Congress MP Manish Tewari argued that it is an absolute assault on the basic structure of the Constitution and is beyond the legislative competence of the House. Supporting him, Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav echoed the opposition’s concerns.
