One Nation, One Election bill tabled in Lok Sabha: Who is in favour? Who is opposing it?

The Union government’s plan of One Nation, One Election has reached the Parliament. On Tuesday (December 17), two bills, which would facilitate the implementation of holding simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, were introduced in the Lok Sabha by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal.

The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, popularly referred to as the bill on One Nation, One Election (ONOE) will sync elections at the national and state level. The bill was tabled in the lower house after division voting was held wherein 269 MPs voted in favour and 198 members against the motion of introducing the bill.

The opposition INDIA bloc led by Congress is against the bill, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has the support of its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners to make One Nation, One Election a reality.

VIDEO | Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal (@arjunrammeghwal) moves 'one nation, one election' bills for introduction in Lok Sabha.#OneNationOneElectionBill

(Source: Third Party)

(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/vgPvelEwLu

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 17, 2024

Let’s take a closer look.

Who supports ONOE?

One Nation, One Election is a major plank of the BJP. It argues simultaneous elections will reduce “election expenses for both political parties and the government”. Touting it as a cost-effective measure, the saffron party says the saved money can be directed towards India’s development.

Hailing the Union Cabinet’s nod to the Ram Nath Kovind-led high-level committee’s proposal for One Nation, One Election in September, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that it was an “important step towards making our democracy even more vibrant and participative”.

The BJP has the support of its NDA allies, including the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde and the Janata Dal (United) or JD(U).

Offering its “unwavering support”, the TDP said One Nation, One Election will streamline the electoral process in the country.

TDP MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu told NDTV, “We have seen in Andhra Pradesh when simultaneous elections happen, there is clarity of process and governance. That has been our experience and we want that to happen across the country.”

Speaking to ANI, Shiv Sena leader Manisha Kayande said frequent elections “waste” the country’s money and time. “To be free from this, One Nation, One Election is necessary”.

Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) has also extended support to ONOE. JD(U) chief spokesperson Neeraj Kumar had told Indian Express in September: “We fully support the Union Cabinet’s decision as we believe that simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections would save election expenses and expedite development works, which are obstructed because of model code of conduct being in place because of some elections or the other… Those criticising it should know that we followed One Nation, One Election till 1967.”

The BJP’s other Bihar allies – Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) – have also supported the move.

Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which is not a part of the ruling NDA, has also come out in support of ONOE.

“The move will reduce expenses and ensure public welfare works continue uninterrupted. Other political parties must support the initiative,” the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister was quoted as saying by The Hindu.

Who opposes it and why?

The Opposition INDIA bloc has attacked the BJP over the ONOE bill, calling for its withdrawal. They allege the bill is against the basic structure of the Constitution and would hurt regional parties.

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra termed the bill “anti-constitutional”, claiming it is against federalism. Congress’ Manish Tewari said the bills were “beyond this House’s [Lok Sabha] legislative competence”, adding that they should be “withdrawn immediately”.

Opposed the Introduction of the One Nation One Elections Bills in the Lok Sabha.👇🏾

In 1973 in Re: Kesvananda Bharti the Supreme Court conceptualised the Basic Structure Doctrine.

Federalism and Parliamentary Democracy including its structure are protected by the above… pic.twitter.com/sIPAJx43OT

— Manish Tewari (@ManishTewari) December 17, 2024

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is also opposing the ONOE bill, with Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee saying it was an “unashamed” attack on democracy.

“The BJP’s brazen attempt to introduce a constitutional amendment bill today, while the constitution debate is still underway in Parliament, is nothing short of an unashamed attack on democracy. The One Nation One Election bill seeks to rob the people of their fundamental right to vote regularly,” he wrote on X.

Other INDIA partners such as Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), Samajwadi Party (SP), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) have also objected to the proposal of simultaneous polls.

Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav said in the Lok Sabha that the BJP is trying to bring in “dictatorship” in the country.

DMK MP TR Baalu also expressed reservations about the bill, saying: “As my leader MK Stalin has said, it is anti-federal…The electors have the right to elect the govt for five years and the same cannot be curtailed with simultaneous elections….”

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also opposed the bill, alleging it was a bid to centralise power at the expense of federalism and the Constitution.

Speaking to ANI, Chaturvedi said, “The One Nation, One Election is being brought in the guise of centralising power again.”

“Attacking the Constitution in this manner is very unfortunate. Tampering with the process of elections, working against federalism is one such way of the Central government to centralise power,” she added.

Addressing the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) MP Asaduddin Owaisi said the bill “violates” parliamentary democracy and indirectly introduces a “presidential style of democracy”. He said that the ONOE bill would “finish off” all regional parties. AIMIM is not a part of the INDIA alliance.

Opposing the bill, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Jha said the bill is against the country’s “federal character”. “This goes against the Indian constitution. This goes against the will of the people which is the pivot of parliamentary democracy," he told NDTV.

Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) MP ET Muhammed Basheer made similar remarks.

The Left is also opposing the ONOE bill.

CPI(M) Rajya Sabha member John Brittas earlier said that the proposed legislation is against India’s federal spirit. “One nation, one election, is part of their slogan ‘one leader, one country, one ideology, one language…’ It’s against the federal spirit of the country,” he reportedly said.

Parties on fence

Naveen Patnaik’s Biju Janata Dal (BJD), which previously supported the idea of simultaneous elections, has now said it will decide its stand after examining the details of the two bills.

“BJD President Naveen Patnaik is seized of the matter, after a bill copy is released we will examine it, and a decision will be taken by the party,” BJD’s Sasmit Patra was quoted as saying by PTI.

The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has also taken a wait-and-see approach. “We are firm proponents of federalism and strong advocates for regional parties to have their voices heard. We will have to wait and see in what form this bill will come,” BRS working president KT Rama Rao told PTI Videos.

Andhra Pradesh’s YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) previously called for wider consultations on the matter.

All three parties are not part of the ruling alliance or the opposition bloc.

With inputs from agencies