Arjun Ram Meghwal, Union Law and Justice Minister will introduce ‘The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha on December 16. “The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024: Arjun Ram Meghwal to move for leave to introduce a Bill further to amend the Constitution of India. Also to introduce the Bill,” the list of business stated.
The first amendment bill to conduct simultaneous elections of Lok Sabha and State assemblies and another bill to align elections for assemblies in Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir and Puducherry. Meanwhile, Arjun Ram Meghwal will also move the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 for leave to introduce a Bill further to amend 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.
Several opposition leaders have questioned the One Nation One election proposal saying it was impractical and an attack on federalism. Senior Congress leader and RS MP Digvijay Singh said, ‘One Nation, One Election’ said that if a state government falls in six months or loses its majority, will the state have to remain without a government for the rest of the 4.5 years.
On Thursday, the Union Cabinet approved the recommendation for implementing the One Nation, One Election. The government is likely to introduce a comprehensive bill on the matter during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament. In September, the government accepted the recommendations from a high-level committee, which suggested holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies in a phased manner.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has long advocated for shorter election cycles, focusing that political campaigns should not overshadow the entire five-year term of governance. He cited India’s first elections held in the winter of 1951-1952 as an example of the One Nation, One Election concept, which was discontinued after 1967. The Prime Minister also highlighted the establishment of a commission to study the issue, noting that its report has been received and is under review.
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