The Lok Sabha recently witnessed heated discussions over two proposed constitutional amendment bills designed to enable simultaneous federal and state elections, a cornerstone of the ruling BJP’s ‘One Nation, One Election’ initiative.
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Bills Introduced Amid Slim Margins
Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the bills, securing approval through a simple majority vote. Out of 461 members present, 269 supported the bills, while 198 opposed them. However, the vote fell short of the two-thirds majority (307 votes) required for constitutional amendments.
Congress MP Manickam Tagore criticized the result on social media, stating, “The government secured only 269 votes, while 198 opposed the proposal. This shows the bill lacks sufficient support at this stage.”
Opposition’s Response: Emphasizing the Numbers
Several opposition leaders, including Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, pointed to the insufficient support for the bills. Tharoor stated, “The government undoubtedly has larger numbers, but they clearly don’t have the two-thirds majority needed to pass constitutional amendments.”
To pass these bills, at least 307 votes were required, leaving the current tally of 269 far from adequate.
NDA Faces a Numbers Deficit
The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) currently holds 293 MPs, while the Congress-led INDIA bloc has 234. Even at full capacity, the NDA falls short of the necessary two-thirds majority. To bridge this gap, the BJP is seeking support from non-aligned parties like the YSR Congress and the Akali Dal, which together contribute five votes.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government requires at least nine additional votes to advance the bills.
Opposition Criticisms of the Bill
The proposed Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill has faced strong resistance from opposition leaders, who have highlighted several concerns:
- Threat to Federalism: Critics argue that the proposal undermines India’s federal structure.
- Financial Implications: The Trinamool Congress emphasized the high costs involved, including an estimated ₹10,000 crore for new electronic voting machines (EVMs).
- Authoritarian Overtones: Some leaders labeled the initiative as a step towards dictatorship.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the proposal as “anti-federal” and “an authoritarian imposition designed to undermine democracy.”
BJP’s Defense of the Proposal
Defending the initiative, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal stated that the bill aims to streamline the electoral process without compromising the Constitution’s fundamental principles. “This bill will simplify the electoral process without tampering with the Constitution’s basic structure,” he asserted.
Now, What exactly is ‘One Nation, One Election’?
If you are still figuring out the concept of ‘One Nation, One Election’, then in simple words this bill seeks to align Lok Sabha and state assembly elections, allowing voters to elect central and state representatives simultaneously. Currently, only four states (Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim) hold their elections alongside Lok Sabha polls, while others operate on independent five-year cycles.
Constitutional Hurdles
To implement this vision, multiple constitutional amendments are necessary, including changes to:
- Article 83: Term of Parliament
- Article 85: Dissolution of Lok Sabha
- Article 172: Duration of State Legislatures
- Article 174: Dissolution of State Legislatures
- Article 356: Imposition of President’s Rule
Additionally, these amendments must receive ratification from a majority of state legislatures. Legal experts warn that the proposal could face challenges, particularly concerning its impact on India’s federal structure.
Next Steps
The bills are expected to be referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), where the BJP’s majority may help navigate further deliberations. Meanwhile, the BJP plans to issue notices to over 20 MPs who were absent during the vote, despite a three-line whip mandating their attendance.
Conclusion
As the BJP pushes forward with its ambitious ‘One Nation, One Election’ initiative, significant challenges loom. From securing the required numbers to addressing opposition concerns about federalism and costs, the path ahead is far from straightforward. Whether the initiative gains broader political consensus remains to be seen, but for now, it stands as a contentious and pivotal issue in Indian politics.
