The Lok Sabha witnessed a heated debate on Tuesday as two bills proposing simultaneous elections were introduced by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill and the Union Territories Amendment Bill aim to align state and Union Territory elections with Lok Sabha polls, sparking strong reactions from the opposition.
After a 90-minute discussion, the Constitution Amendment Bill was introduced with 269 members voting in favor and 198 against. Meghwal dismissed allegations that the bills undermine the "basic structure doctrine," emphasizing that key constitutional principles—federalism, judicial review, and the separation of powers—remain intact. "The objections are political, not constitutional," Meghwal asserted.
However, opposition leaders termed the move "dictatorial." Congress MP Manish Tewari called it an assault on federalism and a violation of legislative competence, while Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav accused the BJP of undermining democracy. Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee argued that linking state assembly tenures to the Lok Sabha undermines state autonomy, calling it "a fulfilment of one man’s dream."
DMK’s TR Baalu and AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi raised concerns over regional parties being sidelined. Baalu added that curtailing the term of state governments breaches the electorate's mandate.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah proposed referring the bills to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed deliberation, assuring broader discussion at multiple levels. Meghwal affirmed plans to move a resolution for this referral.
While BJP allies Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Shiv Sena expressed strong support, citing reduced election costs and greater efficiency, opposition leaders demanded further scrutiny. DMK and NCP leaders backed the idea of a parliamentary review.
Amid fiery exchanges, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju defended the Speaker's decision to allow all parties to debate, reiterating that Parliament represents diverse voices.
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