Tue Dec 17 13:53:07 UTC 2024: ## One Nation, One Election Bill Clears First Hurdle, Faces Steep Climb Ahead
NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha has approved Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious “One Nation, One Election” bill, marking its first significant step. However, the bill’s journey to becoming law faces a considerable challenge due to the BJP’s lack of the necessary two-thirds majority in both houses of Parliament.
The bill, officially titled the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, requires a supermajority – 362 out of 543 MPs in the Lok Sabha and 162 out of 243 in the Rajya Sabha – for passage. Currently, the BJP and its NDA allies fall significantly short of this threshold in both houses. While the NDA holds approximately 292 seats in the Lok Sabha, it needs at least 70 more votes. Similarly, in the Rajya Sabha, the NDA’s combined strength, including nominated members, is around 118, leaving a deficit of 44 votes.
Although the bill has been referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for further deliberation, the BJP’s prospects of securing the required support remain uncertain. While the JPC discussions may influence some opposition members, analysts believe the party is still far from achieving the necessary two-thirds majority. The bill’s future therefore hangs in the balance.
First Piper 