New Delhi Witnesses Heated Division Vote on Constitutional Amendment Bills
In a significant political development, the Lok Sabha recently conducted a division vote aimed at introducing two pivotal bills to amend the Constitution. This move is aligned with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) ambitious agenda of implementing the ‘One Nation, One Poll’ initiative. The vote took place amidst both support and intense opposition, symbolizing the ongoing ideological battle in Indian politics.
The Lok Sabha session unfolded on December 17, 2024, where a total of 269 Members of Parliament (MPs) voted in favor of the introduction of the bills, while 198 opposed them. Critics, particularly from the Congress party, seized upon the vote’s outcomes to argue that the ruling government lacks the necessary backing to successfully enact such amendments, underlining a divided political landscape. They pointed out that a two-thirds majority, translating to 307 votes from the total of 461 present MPs, was required to push the bills through, and the BJP’s 269 votes fell short.
Understanding the 5 Ws and 1 H
In this context, the “Who” includes the ruling BJP party, which is currently at the helm of India’s political landscape, alongside opposition parties such as Congress and others that vehemently oppose the proposed bills. The “What” is the introduction of two bills aimed at amending the Constitution to facilitate simultaneous elections at both federal and state levels. This ambitious proposal is encapsulated in the ‘One Nation, One Poll’ initiative.
Congress MP Manickam Tagore was vocal on social media about the ramifications of this voting outcome, stating, “Two-thirds majority (307) was needed… but the government secured only (269), while the opposition got 198.” Fellow Congress member Shashi Tharoor also emphasized that the government, despite having a numerical advantage, lacked the required support to pass the critical constitutional amendment.
Opposition Rallying Together Against ‘One Nation, One Poll’
The opposition coalition expressed staunch disapproval of the ‘One Nation, One Poll’ initiative, projecting it as an affront to India’s democratic framework. During the Lok Sabha session, several prominent leaders voiced their concerns. Tewari from Congress, Dharmendra Yadav from the Samajwadi Party, and Kalyan Banerjee from the Trinamool Congress were among those leading the charge. They articulated that simultaneous elections jeopardize the federal structure and dilute the democratic fabric of the nation.
Even beyond the major opposition parties, smaller parties—including the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Indian Union Muslim League—also raised their voices against this initiative, echoing sentiments of alarm that such a step could lead toward a more centralized and authoritarian governance style. Notably, Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, described the entire move as a “design to subvert the basic structure of the Constitution.”
The financial implications of the ‘One Nation, One Poll’ initiative were also a point of discussion. TR Baalu from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam highlighted the significant costs associated with simultaneous elections, suggesting that the Election Commission would need to invest up to ₹10,000 crore on new electronic voting machines every 15 years.
BJP’s Response and Future Actions
In response to the barrage of criticism, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal defended the proposal, arguing it is a long-overdue electoral reform designed to streamline procedures and reduce electoral costs. He emphasized that the bills are aligned with the constitutional framework and will not tamper with its fundamental structure.
The BJP appears to strategize moving forward, as sources indicate that they are preparing to issue notices to over 20 of their MPs who were absent during the voting session, showcasing a clear intention to reinforce party discipline. The party is also considering sending the proposed bills to a joint parliamentary committee, where they would likely maintain control over the majority of members.
Given the current political alignment, the BJP will need to rally additional support from smaller non-aligned parties to reach the 307 votes required. The YSR Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal have already indicated their willingness to support the BJP on this issue, which leaves the party in a position to seek further alliances.
Can ‘One Nation, One Election’ Become Reality?
As discussions continue, the future of the ‘One Nation, One Election’ initiative remains uncertain. While the BJP aims to present this as a pragmatic approach to governance, legal experts warn of potential constitutional challenges if the necessary amendments to facilitate this concept do not come to fruition.
In essence, the initiative to synchronize Lok Sabha and state elections reflects broader trends toward a unified electoral process in India, but it faces robust opposition that underscores the complexities of India’s political landscape.