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.

Women’s Reservation Amendment Cleared; Lok Sabha May Expand to 816

The Women’s Reservation Amendment proposes 273 seats for women in an expanded Lok Sabha, likely to be taken up in the upcoming Parliament session

Cabinet Clears Draft

In a major policy move, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved a draft amendment to the Women’s Reservation framework, paving the way for a significant restructuring of parliamentary representation. The proposal includes increasing the strength of the Lok Sabha from 543 to 816 seats, with 273 seats earmarked for women.

The Women’s Reservation Amendment is expected to be introduced during a special session of Parliament scheduled between April 16 and 18, according to officials familiar with the development.

Key Proposal Details

Under the proposed amendment, one-third of the total seats in the Lok Sabha will be reserved for women. This reservation will follow a vertical framework, ensuring that women also receive representation within seats already reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).

Officials indicated that similar provisions will be extended to state legislative assemblies, aligning representation norms across the country.

Implementation Timeline

As per the current proposal, the law will come into effect from March 31, 2029. It is expected to be implemented for the first time during the 2029 general elections, along with select state assembly elections.

The delayed rollout is linked to the need for fresh delimitation and restructuring of constituencies before the reservation can be operationalised.

Delimitation Changes Ahead

The Centre is also preparing to introduce a separate bill to amend the Delimitation Act. This will allow authorities to redraw constituency boundaries and determine the new allocation of seats.

Sources suggest that the delimitation exercise could be based on the 2011 Census data instead of waiting for the 2027 Census, potentially accelerating the process. The revised framework will apply to all states and Union Territories, including Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, and Puducherry.

State-wise Seat Impact

Initial estimates indicate that several states will witness a substantial rise in parliamentary seats. Uttar Pradesh is likely to see the highest increase, with seats rising from 80 to 120. Maharashtra may expand from 48 to 72 seats, while Bihar could see its tally grow from 40 to 60.

Other states such as Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, and Jharkhand are also expected to gain additional seats, with a corresponding share reserved for women.

Historical Context

The demand for women’s reservation in legislative bodies dates back to the pre-independence era. In 1931, leaders such as Begum Shah Nawaz and Sarojini Naidu advocated equal political rights for women.

Post-independence, the issue gained traction through various committees and policy frameworks. The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments in 1993 marked a milestone by mandating one-third reservation for women in Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies. Several states later increased this quota to 50%.

Policy and Political Impact

The Women’s Reservation Amendment is expected to significantly enhance women’s participation in legislative processes. Policy experts believe the move could reshape political representation and decision-making at both national and state levels.

However, analysts also note that the success of the reform will depend on effective implementation, timely delimitation, and political consensus across parties.

What Lies Ahead

The government is likely to prioritise the passage of the amendment bill during the upcoming special session. Once approved by Parliament, the focus will shift to delimitation and administrative preparations ahead of 2029.

As India moves towards expanding its legislative framework, the Women’s Reservation Amendment is being seen as a landmark step in strengthening inclusive governance and democratic representation.