The One Nation, One Election Bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, faces heavy resistance from opposition parties, who call it an assault on democracy. The bill will now be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for further scrutiny.
New Delhi:The proposed One Nation, One Election (ONOE) legislation, aimed at conducting simultaneous elections across India, has sparked intense debate in the Lok Sabha. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced two key bills—the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024. These bills seek to pave the way for synchronized elections in the country.Despite facing fierce opposition, the bills have been sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for a detailed examination after receiving majority approval in the lower house. During the discussion, Union Home Minister Amit Shah highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had proposed the referral of these bills to the JPC for thorough scrutiny, given their significance.While the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) MPs supported the bills, opposition parties voiced strong disapproval. Congress MP Manish Tewari argued that the introduction of the ONOE bills exceeded the legislative competence of the house, calling for their withdrawal. He went further to claim that these bills would undermine the basic structure of India’s Constitution.Other opposition leaders, including Gaurav Gogoi of Congress and NCP’s Supriya Sule, expressed concerns that the legislation would empower the Election Commission unduly and potentially weaken federalism. Asaduddin Owaisi of AIMIM warned that the bill could pave the way for a presidential-style system, sidelining regional parties.On the other hand, the NDA members, including Law Minister Meghwal, defended the bills, asserting that they would not harm the Constitution or alter its foundational principles. The Lok Sabha vote saw 269 members supporting the bill, while 198 opposed it.Despite the opposition’s strong protests, the bill now moves to the Joint Parliamentary Committee for further discussion and analysis, where more debates are expected to unfold.
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