Government Defers ‘ONOE’ Bill In Lok Sabha; Likely To Be Tabled Later Next Week

The government has postponed the introduction of two bills related to the 'One Nation, One Election' bill in the Lok Sabha. The bills—the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill—were initially scheduled for introduction on Monday, December 16 but have been deferred until after the completion of financial business. 

The revised agenda for the day does not list the bills, however, there are chances that they could be introduced later in the week after the House passes the supplementary demands for grants.

This delay comes just days after the Union Cabinet approved the bills, which aim to hold simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies. These bills, which have already been circulated among Parliament members, are central to the government’s push for 'One Nation, One Election'. 

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Reactions to the ‘one nation one election’ bill

The government's proposal has sparked widespread criticism from the opposition. Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Derek O'Brien accused the government of using the 'One Nation, One Election' plan as a diversion from more pressing national issues such as unemployment, inflation, and regional unrest. In a blog post, O'Brien termed the proposal a “Weapon of Mass Distraction,” aimed at shifting public attention away from the government’s handling of the economy and crises like the ongoing situation in Manipur.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, leader of the TMC, has stated that her party’s MPs will oppose the bills “tooth and nail” in Parliament.

Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir dismissed the idea as impractical for a country as large and diverse as India, suggesting that the BJP is using the proposal to divert attention from its failure to address critical issues like unemployment and inflation.

CPI(M) leader MY Tarigami also raised concerns about the impact on India’s federal structure, warning that the proposal could centralize power and harm the country’s democratic foundations.

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On the other hand, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has expressed support for simultaneous elections, arguing they would allow more time for governance and development. He suggested that frequent elections currently hinder the government’s ability to focus on long-term progress.

Former President Ramnath Kovind, who chairs the High-Level Committee to prepare report on this proposal, defended the idea of simultaneous elections, asserting that it is a brainchild of India’s founding fathers and not the BJP. He also pointed out that 32 political parties support the proposal, while 15 parties are opposed.

The Winter Session of Parliament is set to conclude on December 20, leaving limited time for debate.