A constitutional amendment bill aimed at holding simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections will be introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. Titled The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, the bill could be referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for broader consultations, according to PTI.
As per the Lok Sabha agenda, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal will introduce the bill, following which he may request Speaker Om Birla to refer it to a Joint Committee of Parliament. The bill, which also seeks to synchronize elections for the union territories of Jammu & Kashmir, Puducherry, and the NCT of Delhi, was cleared by the Cabinet last week.
Key Provisions of the Bill
The bill proposes significant constitutional changes, including:
- Simultaneous Elections: It suggests adding Article 82(A) for holding elections to the Lok Sabha and all State Legislative Assemblies concurrently.
- Amendments to Articles: Articles 83, 172, and 327, which govern the duration of legislatures and parliamentary powers over elections, will be amended.
- Mid-Term Elections: If the Lok Sabha or a state assembly is dissolved mid-term, elections will be held only for the remainder of its five-year tenure.
- Implementation Timeline: The provisions will take effect on an “appointed date” to be notified by the President after the first sitting of the Lok Sabha post the 2029 general elections. Simultaneous elections are then expected to commence in 2034.
- Fixed Tenure: The tenure of the Lok Sabha and assemblies elected post the “appointed date” will align, with terms ending alongside the Lok Sabha’s term.
Opposition Criticism
The proposal, part of the BJP’s 2024 election manifesto and supported by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has drawn fierce criticism from Opposition parties and activists. They argue that the bill threatens democratic accountability and federalism.
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh demanded the bill be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee, reiterating his party’s opposition. “The Indian National Congress opposes this bill, as clarified by party president Mallikarjun Kharge last year in a letter to the Kovind Committee,” Ramesh said.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK chief M.K. Stalin called the bill “draconian” and warned it would “erase regional voices, erode federalism, and disrupt governance.”
CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas criticized the move as being against the “federal spirit” of India, while West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee labeled it an “authoritarian imposition”, announcing her party’s opposition.
Government’s Parliamentary Math
To pass the bill, the government requires a two-thirds majority in both Houses. With the current Lok Sabha strength at 542, the government needs support from at least 361 MPs. While the NDA’s strength is significant, it may need backing from non-aligned parties such as the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), Biju Janata Dal (BJD), and AIADMK.
In the Rajya Sabha, where the current strength is 231, the government requires 154 votes. The NDA, with 114 MPs and support from six nominated members, will need to rely on non-aligned parties to secure the required numbers.
With strong resistance from the Opposition and regional parties, the bill is expected to face intense debate as the government pushes forward with its agenda for “One Nation, One Election.”
