Priyanka Gandhi Questions One Nation, One Election Feasibility
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra raised critical concerns about the One Nation, One Election proposal at the first meeting of the joint parliamentary panel examining the Bill. Her questions focused on the economic viability of conducting simultaneous elections and the logistical challenges, including the number of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) required for such a massive exercise.
While Priyanka Gandhi did not address the media after the meeting, sources revealed that she asked whether the move would be financially sustainable and practical. Her concerns resonated with other Opposition members who believe the proposal could violate the Constitution’s basic structure.
Opposition Flags Constitutional Concerns
A Congress MP who attended the meeting pointed out that One Nation, One Election could challenge the 1973 Kesavananda Bharati judgment. In this landmark case, the Supreme Court ruled that Parliament can amend the Constitution but cannot alter its basic structure, which includes democracy, secularism, federalism, and the rule of law.
The Opposition fears that simultaneous elections might undermine India’s federal structure by limiting the autonomy of state governments.
What the Parliamentary Panel Is Examining
The joint parliamentary committee, chaired by BJP MP PP Chaudhary, is currently reviewing two Bills:
- The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill
- The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill
The panel comprises 39 members — 27 from the Lok Sabha and 12 from the Rajya Sabha. Key members include BJP’s Anurag Singh Thakur, Bhartruhari Mahtab, and Sambit Patra, alongside Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Manish Tewari.
Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee and NCP leader Supriya Sule are also part of the committee.
What the Government Says
The Centre’s push for One Nation, One Election is based on the recommendations of a committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind. Supporters of the proposal argue that it would reduce campaign costs, streamline governance, and ease the burden on government resources.
The Kovind-led panel consulted 47 political parties on the issue. Out of these, 32 parties supported the proposal, while 15 opposed it.
However, Congress and other Opposition parties remain skeptical. They argue that the move could disrupt India’s electoral process and centralize power in ways that could harm democracy.
The Numbers Game in Parliament
For the BJP to pass the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, it needs a two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha. The ruling NDA does not have the numbers on its own, which means it will need to seek support from outside allies.
The YSR Congress and the Akali Dal have shown support for the Bill. However, the NDA still falls short of the required majority, making it uncertain whether the Bill will pass.
What Lies Ahead?
As debates around One Nation, One Election intensify, the parliamentary panel will play a crucial role in shaping the future of this proposal. While the government argues that the system will make elections more efficient, the Opposition continues to push back, warning of potential risks to India’s democracy.
The coming months will determine whether the government can build enough consensus to move forward with this ambitious plan
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