Introduction of Bill on ‘One Nation One Election’ deferred

Though Bills on the matter were earlier in the list for Monday in Lok Sabha, in the revised list, they have been dropped; government wants to complete financial business first

The Union government has not listed the constitutional amendment Bill to hold simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies in the revised list of business for Monday, indicating that the Bill could be delayed further. Though the Bills on the matter — The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill and The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill) — were earlier in the list for Monday in the Lok Sabha, in the revised list, they have been dropped.

Indications are that the Centre will bring the Bills once the Rajya Sabha completes the discussion on Constitution and after the passage of supplementary demands for grants in the Lok Sabha. Now, if the Centre wants to bring the Bills on Monday, permission from Speaker Om Birla is necessary to introduce a supplementary list of business. The members have received both the Bills after the Union Cabinet cleared them earlier last week.

Also Read | Union Cabinet gives approval for Bills on simultaneous polls

‘Cycle disrupted’

In the statement on objects and reasons, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal has said the general elections to the House of the People and all State Assemblies were held simultaneously in the years 1951-52, 1957, 1962 and 1967. However, due to premature dissolution of some Legislative Assemblies in 1968 and 1969, the cycle of holding polls simultaneously with the House of the People got disrupted. He said the Law Commission, in its 170th report, suggested that holding separate elections for State Assemblies should be an exception rather than the rule. “There is an imperative need for holding of simultaneous elections, given that elections have become expensive and time-consuming,” he said, adding that a high-level committee under the chairmanship of former President Ram Nath Kovind too recommended that the polls be held simultaneously.

In the Monday’s revised list of business in the Rajya Sabha, the first agenda after the question hour and zero hour is the discussion and voting on the Supplementary Demands for Grants - First Batch for 2024-2025. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will also move two Appropriation Bills along with the Supplementary Grants.

Another Bill listed for Monday is the Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024. Mr. Meghwal will move the Bill. The Bill enables reservation of seats in accordance with Article 332 of the Constitution for “effective democratic participation of members of Scheduled Tribes and to provide for the readjustment of seats” in the Goa Assembly.

Kharge invited for talks

In the Rajya Sabha, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar has invited Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge for another round of discussions to end the impasse. The Opposition has moved a no-confidence motion against Mr. Dhankhar alleging that he is chairing the proceedings in a partisan manner. The House did not transact major business last week as the BJP members protested against the alleged links of the Congress with U.S. billionaire George Soros.

The Upper House has listed a debate on the “Glorious Journey of 75 years of the Constitution of India,” for Monday. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to speak in the Upper House on the matter on Monday.

Not consulted: BJD

Meanwhile, in Odisha, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has decided not to support the no-confidence motion proposed by the INDIA bloc against Mr. Dhankhar.

BJD Rajya Sabha member Niranjan Bisi said the regional party was not consulted by the INDIA alliance regarding the motion and, therefore, would abstain from the process.

Former Chief Minister and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik had recently emphasised that the party would take appropriate steps only after assessing the situation.

“Our leader Mr. Patnaik was not approached for discussions on this matter. As a result, we will not participate in the no-confidence motion,” Mr. Bisi clarified. The BJD currently holds seven seats in the Upper House of Parliament.

Political observers had speculated that the BJD might align with the INDIA alliance, given the party’s losses to the BJP in the last general and Assembly elections. Moreover, two former BJD Rajya Sabha members had resigned from the party and joined the BJP, adding to the anticipation.

Published - December 15, 2024 11:15 am IST