Priyanka Gandhi and Manish Tewari are among the prominent Congress MPs expected to be included in the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) tasked with reviewing the One Nation One Election bills that were introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. These bills, which aim to implement simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, have become a subject of intense political debate across the country. Gandhi, who has caught the attention of the public with her unique approach to protests, is serving her first term as an MP after securing a victory in the Wayanad constituency. Tewari, known for his articulate views on various issues, is expected to bring valuable input to the scrutiny of these bills, given his long-standing experience in parliamentary affairs.
The formation of the 31-member panel, which is set to examine the proposed amendments, will be crucial as the committee will have the task of thoroughly analyzing the potential implications of the bills on India’s federal structure. In addition to Gandhi and Tewari, several other MPs from various parties are also likely to be included in the panel, including Sanjay Jha from the JD(U), Dharmendra Yadav from the Samajwadi Party, Harish Balayogi from the TDP, P. Wilson and Selva Gagapathy from the DMK, Shrikant Shinde from Shiv Sena, and Kalyan Banerjee and Saket Gokhale from the Trinamool Congress. The inclusion of MPs from a wide spectrum of political parties ensures that the discussions will encompass diverse perspectives and interests, making the JPC's role particularly significant.
With the winter session of Parliament scheduled to end on Friday, time is of the essence for the formation of the panel. The JPC will have 90 days to review the bills and consult with stakeholders, although it may request an extension if the need arises. Given the ruling BJP’s dominance in the Lok Sabha, the committee is expected to be chaired by a member from the BJP, which will have a significant influence on the direction of the panel's deliberations. However, the opposition parties are likely to use their participation in the committee to raise concerns and advocate for their stance on the issue, which could result in a heated and contentious process.
The two bills—the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territories Law (Amendment) Bill, 2024—were tabled in Parliament on Tuesday and have already generated significant debate. The bills were admitted with 269 votes in favor and 198 votes against, indicating a sharp division along party lines. Opposition parties, including the Congress, have united in their criticism of the move, arguing that it could lead to the centralization of power and undermine the autonomy of state governments. The Congress, in particular, has called the move a ploy by the BJP to establish a presidential form of governance, thereby diminishing the role of states in India’s federal system.
However, the BJP has received unexpected support from some regional parties, including the YSR Congress, BJD, and AIADMK, who have expressed their backing for the idea of simultaneous elections. This support has provided a significant boost to the ruling party's efforts to push the bills through Parliament, despite the opposition's strong opposition. The JPC’s work will now be closely watched, as it is expected to examine not only the legal and constitutional implications of the bills but also the political ramifications for both the central and state governments. The outcome of this review could have far-reaching consequences for India's electoral system and its federal structure.
The debates surrounding the bills also highlight the broader concerns about the future of India’s democracy, with critics warning that such a shift could lead to a more centralized, top-down approach to governance, potentially weakening the autonomy of states. Supporters of the One Nation One Election idea, on the other hand, argue that it could lead to greater efficiency, reduce electoral costs, and provide a more unified approach to governance. In this context, the JPC will play a pivotal role in determining whether the proposed changes are in the best interests of the country, both in terms of governance and democratic values.
As the JPC prepares to embark on its task, the political landscape is likely to remain charged with discussions on federalism, the role of states, and the centralization of power. The panel’s findings and recommendations will be keenly awaited, not only by politicians but also by the general public, as the country grapples with the potential implications of the One Nation One Election proposal. Whether the bills are ultimately passed or rejected, the debate surrounding them is set to shape the future trajectory of Indian politics and governance.
