Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Friday referred two key bills related to simultaneous elections to a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) for detailed review. The committee comprises 39 members—27 from the Lok Sabha and 12 from the Rajya Sabha—who will analyze the proposals and submit their recommendations.

The two bills—the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill and The Union Territories Amendment Bill—were introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 17, after much debate. While the Opposition has criticized the move heavily, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal defends the bills, saying that they would not undermine the powers of state governments.

Why are opposition leaders opposing the bills?

The Opposition has objected seriously and termed the idea of holding simultaneous elections as violative of the very foundational principles of the Constitution.

"Congress MP Manish Tewari strongly opposed the bills, arguing that they challenge the "basic structure doctrine," which protects essential features of the Constitution.

"One of the essential features is federalism and the structure of our democracy. The bills assault the basic structure of the Constitution and exceed the legislative competence of this House," said Tewari, who previously served as a Union Minister.

Is "One Nation, One Election" a step towards centralization?

Reflecting similar views, Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav slammed the BJP for its attempt to push through simultaneous polls. He said that this was a step towards imposing a dictatorship.

Meanwhile, AIMIM leader and Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi warned that the proposed legislation could deal a severe blow to regional political parties.

"This Bill is aimed at maximising political gain and convenience. This Bill will finish off regional parties," Owaisi remarked.

As per the Lok Sabha Secretariat, the joint parliamentary committee will now examine the bills in detail. After completing its review, the committee will send its recommendations to the Lok Sabha Speaker for further action.

The debate in Parliament shows the deep political divide surrounding the proposal for simultaneous elections—a reform that has long been on the BJP’s agenda but continues to draw sharp criticism from the Opposition.