‘One Nation, One Election:‘ BJP to seek explanation from absent MPs

Perturbed by the absence of about 20 MPs during the crucial voting on the introduction of the “One Nation, One Election” Bill on Tuesday (17 December), the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to issue notices to all the absentees, seeking explanations.

The party had issued a three-line whip mandating the presence of all MPs for this significant legislative move.

Media reports claimed that while some Union Ministers and MPs had pre-approved official commitments and informed the party’s floor managers, others were absent without prior notice.

The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, aimed at enabling simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal after a 90-minute debate.

Following the discussion, the Bill was put to a vote, where 269 members supported its introduction, and 198 opposed it. Although the introduction required only a simple majority, the Bill’s final passage after Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) deliberations will require a two-thirds majority.

Additionally, Meghwal tabled the Union Territories Amendment Bill, proposing synchronising elections in Union territories like Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu & Kashmir with Lok Sabha polls. Both bills have been referred to a JPC for further discussion.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah defended the decision to refer the bills to a JPC, highlighting the need for comprehensive discussions.

“The report of the JPC will be reviewed and approved by the Cabinet. This will ensure detailed deliberations at every level before further discussions in Parliament,” Shah stated.

Meanwhile, opposition parties strongly criticized the “One Nation, One Election” Bill, calling it an assault on India’s federal structure. Congress leader Manish Tewari argued that the move violates the “basic structure” doctrine of the Constitution.

“Federalism is a cornerstone of our democracy, and these bills undermine that principle,” he said during the debate.

"Federalism and Parliamentary Democracy including its structure are protected by the above mentioned doctrine and therefore it is beyond the legislative Competence of even Parliament to transgress upon or subvert this protection in any manner whatsoever. The One Nation one Election Bills assault this doctrine as they make state legislatures subservient to the term of the National Legislature- Article 82-A that is sought to be added by the said bill in addition to other provisions," argued the Congress leader.

DMK’s T.R. Baalu and NCP leader Supriya Sule also demanded that the bills be withdrawn or, at the very least, scrutinised thoroughly by a parliamentary committee.

As the bills move to the JPC, their findings and recommendations will shape the future action. For now, the BJP’s focus remains on finding out why the MPs have not shown up in the parliament.