Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the 129th Constitutional Amendment Bill, implementing 'One Nation, One Election' in Lok Sabha. However, opposition leaders, including Congress MP's Manish Tewari and Gaurav Gogoi, raised objections to the Bill, stating that the Parliament does not have the competence to pass such a legislation. Despite the opposition, the Bill was passed with a majority and the House was adjourned till later in the day. Interestingly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had suggested sending the Bill to the Joint Parliamentary Committee for further consultation when it was first approved by the Union Cabinet.
One Nation, One Election: A Comprehensive Overview
Background
The concept of "One Nation, One Election" (ONOE) has been debated in India for several decades. The idea is to synchronize the terms of the Lok Sabha (lower house of Parliament) and all state legislative assemblies, thus holding elections for all levels of government simultaneously. This would eliminate the current staggered election cycle, where elections are held at different intervals in different states.
129th Constitutional Amendment Bill
In December 2017, the Union Law and Justice Minister, Arjun Ram Meghwal, introduced the 129th Constitutional Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha. The Bill proposed amendments to the Constitution to implement ONOE.
Opposition to the Bill
Opposition leaders, including Congress MPs Manish Tewari and Gaurav Gogoi, expressed concerns about the Bill. They argued that Parliament lacked the constitutional competence to pass such legislation. They also raised concerns about the potential impact on federalism and the independence of state governments.
Passage of the Bill
Despite opposition, the 129th Constitutional Amendment Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha with a majority. The House was adjourned for further proceedings later that day.
Prime Minister's Suggestion
Interestingly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had initially suggested sending the Bill to the Joint Parliamentary Committee for further consultation when it was approved by the Union Cabinet. However, this proposal was not included in the final version of the Bill.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
Q1. What are the potential benefits of ONOE? A1. Potential benefits include reduced election expenditure, greater voter participation, and improved governance.
Q2. What are the concerns raised by critics of the ONOE Bill? A2. Critics argue that it could undermine federalism, limit state autonomy, and restrict political competition.
Q3. Has ONOE been implemented in any other country? A3. Yes, ONOE has been implemented in several countries, including Brazil, Mexico, and Canada.
Q4. What would be the timeline for implementing ONOE in India? A4. The timeline for implementing ONOE is unclear and would depend on the passage of the necessary legislation and constitutional amendments.
Q5. What are the next steps in the process of implementing ONOE? A5. The 129th Constitutional Amendment Bill currently requires the approval of the Rajya Sabha (upper house of Parliament) and ratification by at least half of the state legislatures before it can become law.
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