P Chidambaram Opposes One Nation One Election Bill Calling It Unconstitutional Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram strongly opposed the simultaneous polls proposal before a joint parliamentary committee, calling it unconstitutional and flawed. He questioned what would happen if a hung parliament emerged in 2029. Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram strongly opposed the proposal for simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly elections before a parliamentary joint committee, dismissing the concept as distorted and unconstitutional. The former home and finance minister stated that the push for nationwide simultaneous polls is an ill-considered move. Concerns Over Constitutional Structure and Tenure Chidambaram told the committee that the bills related to simultaneous elections are unconstitutional. He argued that every legislature has a guaranteed five-year term and cutting it short would directly violate the basic structure of the Constitution. The senior Congress leader added that his conscience does not permit him to support these bills, emphasizing that the government lacks the mandatory two-thirds majority in Parliament to pass such legislation. The 2029 Hung Parliament Scenario and Campaign Spending Calling the bill detrimental to democracy, Chidambaram warned the committee that it fails judicial scrutiny. He raised a specific question regarding what would happen if elections for all states and the Lok Sabha are held together in 2029 and no party secures a majority at the centre. Addressing the argument that simultaneous polls reduce government expenditure, he pointed out that the government incurs minimal direct election costs; rather, candidates spend heavily, often far exceeding official limits, and the government needs to curb that excess spending instead. Dissent from Committee Members and Padma Awardees TMC leader and committee member Mahua Ghosh also opposed the bill, stating that it would grant unfettered powers to the Election Commission. Additionally, a group of around 10 Padma Award recipients presented their views before the panel, including Tarlochan Singh, Navin Khanna, Meenakshi Jain, and Neeru Kumar. While some awardees supported simultaneous elections, others opposed them, warning that the move could trigger widespread chaos across the country. Members of the Joint Parliamentary Committee also noted that giving unlimited power to the Election Commission is harmful to democracy. Congress members including Priyanka Gandhi, Manish Tewari, Randeep Surjewala, and Mukul Wasnik are part of the JPC, which has faced opposition from several non-BJP ruled states. JPC Tours and Legislative Background To assess the feasibility of the initiative, the JPC has toured several states including Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Delhi, and Goa. Opposition-ruled states like Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Karnataka have strongly opposed the legislation, alongside the DMK which opposed it when it was introduced in Parliament in 2024. The Constitution 129th Amendment Bill and the Union Territories Laws Amendment Bill were introduced in the Lok Sabha in December 2024 before being referred to the joint committee. These bills stem from recommendations made by a high-level committee chaired by former President Ramnath Kovind, which included Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Historical Context of Simultaneous Elections Simultaneous elections were previously a reality in India. Following the adoption of the Constitution, Lok Sabha and all state assembly elections were held concurrently from 1951 to 1967. The inaugural general election took place in 1951-52, a practice that continued through the general elections of 1957, 1962, and 1967. However, this cycle was disrupted in 1968 and 1969 due to the premature dissolution of several state legislatures. The fourth Lok Sabha was also dissolved early in 1970, leading to fresh elections in 1971. While the fifth Lok Sabha's term was extended during the Emergency, only a few subsequent assemblies managed to complete their full five-year terms, with state legislatures facing similar disruptions over the decades. What this means for you • Across India: The proposal for simultaneous elections could significantly reshape India's electoral framework, political party strategies, and federal governance structure. • Parliamentary Process: Deliberations by the Joint Parliamentary Committee and its final recommendations will dictate how future national and state elections are structured. Questions & Answers 1. Why did P Chidambaram oppose the one nation one election proposal? P Chidambaram argued that the proposal is unconstitutional and flawed because it curtails the fixed five-year term of legislatures, violating the basic structure of the Constitution. 2. In what form was this proposal introduced in Parliament? The proposal was introduced in the Lok Sabha in December 2024 through the Constitution 129th Amendment Bill and the Union Territories Laws Amendment Bill. 3. Which states have been visited by the Joint Parliamentary Committee? The JPC has visited states including Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Delhi, and Goa. 4. During which period were Lok Sabha and state assembly elections previously held together in India? Lok Sabha and all state assembly elections were held concurrently from 1951 to 1967 after the adoption of the Constitution. https://trendkia.com/en/politics/eka-desha-eka-chunava-para-p-chidambaram-ka-kara-virodha-kaha-yaha-prastava-puri-taraha-asnvaidhanika-aura-vikrita-21544 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.