The Congress party has vehemently opposed the ‘One Nation, One Election’ bill introduced in the Lok Sabha, labeling it an “assault on the basic structure of the Constitution.” The bill, which seeks to synchronize elections for both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, faced criticism from Congress leaders who argue it undermines federalism.
Congress MP Manish Tewari stated during the debate that the legislative competence of the House does not extend to altering the Constitution’s fundamental principles, particularly the autonomy of state legislatures. The opposition, including members from various parties, expressed concerns that simultaneous elections would centralize power, thus eroding the democratic ethos of India’s diverse political landscape.
Despite these objections, the bill passed its introduction stage with 269 votes in favor and 198 against, though it did not achieve the two-thirds majority needed for constitutional amendments, leading to its referral to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for further scrutiny.