The Congress leader said simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls could not be held in 2029 even if the Bill clears Parliament, while the Opposition prepares a wider campaign against the proposal.
Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP P Chidambaram has stepped up his opposition to the One Nation, One Election (ONOE) Bill, calling it a “constitutional monstrosity” and saying Congress and other Opposition parties will launch a nationwide campaign against the proposed electoral reform.
Chidambaram made the remarks on Tuesday while responding to a reported statement by the chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) examining the ONOE legislation that simultaneous elections could be possible in 2029. The former Union minister said that interpretation did not align with the text of the proposed legislation.
In a post on X, Chidambaram said he had appeared before the JPC and argued that the Bill violated what he described as the basic features of the Constitution, particularly parliamentary democracy and the federal structure.
Chidambaram's 2029 Argument
According to Chidambaram, even if Parliament passes the Bill, simultaneous elections cannot take place in 2029 because the proposed “appointed date” would have to fall after a general election. Since the next Lok Sabha election is due in 2029, he argued that the simultaneous-election framework could not be implemented that year.
He also said this outcome would be beneficial from the Opposition's perspective and indicated that Congress and other Opposition parties would campaign across the country against the legislation.
The remarks add to the political resistance surrounding the Centre's proposal to synchronise elections to the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies.
Opposition Raises Federalism Concerns
Chidambaram's principal objection centres on the constitutional and federal implications of synchronising elections. During his appearance before the parliamentary panel, he opposed the proposal and described the legislation as unconstitutional, flawed and illogical, according to reports from the committee proceedings.
The Opposition has previously argued that simultaneous elections could affect the autonomy of state-level political mandates and alter the relationship between the Union and state governments.
The government's position is different. Supporters of ONOE argue that holding elections together could reduce repeated election expenditure, limit the disruption caused by frequent polls and allow governments to focus more consistently on governance. The government has also clarified that simultaneous elections would not necessarily mean voting everywhere on a single day, with polling potentially taking place in phases.
JPC Continues Examination
The JPC is continuing its examination of the constitutional amendment and related legislation. The committee has been hearing views from political representatives, legal experts and public-policy institutions on the proposed framework.
Recent consultations have also focused on how elections could be deferred under the proposed system and what safeguards would be required if an Assembly or Lok Sabha were unable to complete its full term.
The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, seeks to establish a framework for synchronising elections to the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies. A related Union Territories law is also part of the legislative package required to facilitate the proposed system.
Political Battle Likely to Intensify
Chidambaram's announcement of a nationwide Opposition campaign signals that the ONOE proposal is likely to remain a major political issue as Parliament considers the legislation.
For the government, the proposal is being presented as a structural electoral reform aimed at reducing the frequency and cost of elections. For the Opposition, the central concern is whether synchronising electoral cycles could weaken India's parliamentary and federal structure.
The next stage will depend on the JPC's recommendations and the subsequent parliamentary process. Any final implementation would require the proposed constitutional changes and the legislative measures associated with the new electoral framework to clear the required parliamentary hurdles.
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