'Seeking To Build Larger Consensus': Debate On Merits Of One Nation One Election At First JPC Meet

Last Updated:January 08, 2025, 19:12 IST

Both the ruling and opposition sides, however, agreed that 'One Nation One Election' needs wider discussion and more time must be allotted to the committee, a request that has been conveyed to the chairperson

Chairperson PP Chaudhary (R) looks on as BJP MP Baijayant Panda speaks during the first meeting of the JPC on 'One Nation One Election' Bill, on January 8. (Image: News18/video grab)

The ruling and opposition sides on Wednesday debated the merits of the ‘One Nation One Election’ Bill, referred for scrutiny, in the first meeting of the joint parliamentary committee. They, however, agreed that the matter needs wider discussion and more time must be allotted to the committee, a request that has been conveyed to the chairperson.

Senior officials of the ministry of law and justice, including the law secretary, made a brief presentation before the committee on the finer points of the Bill. They explained the entire history of the legislation, right from the 1950s and the transformation it has undergone since. They also spoke about the salient points on the basis of which the Centre has come up with the Bill.

After the presentation, members from different political parties spoke on it. Earlier, speaking on its importance and how it will help India, committee chairman PP Chaudhary told CNN-News18: “I am looking for suggestions because they will only help us build a larger consensus. The Prime Minister has always wanted to see such legislation pass only through wide discussion and debate."

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WHAT DID THE OPPOSITION SAY?

Talking about the legislation during the meeting, Congress MP Manish Tewari called it a violation of the principles of the Constitution. Echoing the same sentiment was Dharmendra Yadav of the Samajwadi Party (SP), who argued that this Bill was against the underprivileged and minorities.

According to sources, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee, often known to speak his mind, once again argued that the Bill is against the basic federal structure of the country. It has been learnt that he has asked the government to respond if curtailing poll expenses was more important than curbing the people’s powers by snatching away their democratic right to vote.

First-time MP from Wayanad, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra spoke in the meeting asking for an explanation on how expenses will be cut down with the new legislation. She argued that the figures discussed by the government in its presentation made a reference to the parliamentary committee findings before 2004, while the electronic voting machine (EVM) was introduced only after this year, which meant that expenses were reduced. So, she has asked the government to respond to how it will justify post-2004 expenses and their further reduction.

The YSRCP, speaking on the merits of the Bill, said it will in principle support its implementation only if elections take place on a ballot as the public does not trust EVMs as much. The party argued that these elections will reduce the power and mandate of regional parties, and only make the national parties stronger. They also said through this process, whether the country saves money or not, big political parties will certainly save up. It has also asked the government to explain if it is trying to take the country into a presidential style of election in future.

Another regional party from the south, the DMK said this bill will restrict the federal structure and reduce the power of state governments. They have asked the committee to consider a wider view, and proposed that meetings should not be restricted to the four walls of Parliament but be passed onto the public domain as they are the stakeholders.

WHAT DID THE NDA MEMBERS SAY?

The BJP, however, expressed support for the Bill calling it a landmark reform. Sources said BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj echoed these sentiments in the meeting.

Another BJP MP asked why there had been no explanation on the violation of constitutional framework when, in 1957, a number of assembly terms were curtailed and simultaneous elections were held. The MP said back then, Jawaharlal Nehru was the Prime Minister and Dr Rajendra Prasad the President and the head of the Constituent Assembly.

A member of the ruling Democratic Alliance (NDA), the Shiv Sena said it is important for all parties to consider the implication of the repeated imposition of the model code of conduct. The party gave the example of Maharashtra, where the assembly elections took place within three months of the Lok Sabha elections.

A Sena MP said there are a series of local body elections that will take place in the coming months and, with this kind of schedule, it will be difficult for any government to take regular cabinet decisions and ensure they are implemented.

The Janata Dal (United), part of the NDA, further said it is important to hold these elections, so that the focus remains on governance. But, it also wanted a response from the Centre about the proposal on the number of times the no-confidence motion can be brought, and if it will be reduced as well as curtail the right of a member to bring it.

At the end of the meeting, all members cutting across party lines, requested Chaudhary to convey to the Lok Sabha Speaker that the committee’s term needs to be extended. As of now, the mandate of the committee is to submit a report by the last week of the upcoming budget session of Parliament.

Barring a couple of members, most were present for the meeting. Two had communicated that they will not be available, including Dr CM Ramesh from the BJP and Shambhavi Choudhary from the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP). Busy with the upcoming Delhi assembly elections and poll-related duties, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh was also absent.

Among those who were present included Priyanka Gandhi along with party members Manish Tewari, Mukul Wasnik and Randeep Surjewala. From the BJP side, former union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur, Bhartruhari Mahtab, Dr Sambit Patra, Bansuri Swaraj, BD Sharma and Sanjay Jaiswal were present.

From other parties, NCP MP Supriya Sule, Dr Shrikant Shinde of the Shiv Sena and Anil Desai of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Sena were also present. Among NDA allies, Sanjay Jha of the JD(U) and Harish Balayogi from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) were in attendance. Dharmendra Yadav of the SP and Chote Lal were both present, along with Kalyan Banerjee of the TMC.

News elections 'Seeking To Build Larger Consensus': Debate On Merits Of One Nation One Election At First JPC Meet