Tue Dec 17 13:02:21 UTC 2024: ## “One Nation, One Election” Bill Introduced Amidst Fierce Opposition in Lok Sabha

**New Delhi:** The “One Nation, One Election” bill, aimed at synchronizing national and state elections, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday amidst a storm of protest from opposition parties. The bill, comprising a constitutional amendment and a separate act, sparked intense debate, with the opposition vehemently criticizing it as an assault on India’s federal structure.

The government, however, rejected these accusations. The bill’s introduction followed repeated demands by the opposition for a division vote. According to sources, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal will request the Speaker to send the bill to a joint parliamentary committee for broader consultation. The bill, approved by the Union Cabinet on December 12th, was lauded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a significant step for India’s democracy.

The Congress party labelled the bill “unconstitutional” and a violation of the Constitution’s basic structure. Congress MP Jairam Ramesh accused the government of attempting to stifle democracy and accountability, even suggesting the real aim was to introduce a new constitution. Similar sentiments were echoed by other opposition parties, including the Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), who raised concerns about the bill’s potential impact on the autonomy of state legislatures and the impartiality of the Election Commission.

The debate also saw heated exchanges, with AAP MP Sanjay Singh criticizing BJP president J.P. Nadda for allegedly insulting people from Uttar Pradesh. The introduction of the bill also drew sharp criticism from several prominent opposition leaders including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Tejashwi Yadav, and Uddhav Thackeray, all of whom deemed it anti-constitutional and a ploy to distract from pressing national issues.

While some NDA allies like the TDP and a faction of Shiv Sena expressed support, the majority of opposition parties united in their opposition, resulting in multiple divisions within the Lok Sabha and a temporary adjournment of the proceedings. The bill’s future remains uncertain, pending the outcome of the proposed joint parliamentary committee review.

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