The BJP will issue notices to its MPs who were absent in the Lok Sabha during the introduction of the government’s key “One Nation, One Election” Bill.
According to a report in NDTV, despite a prior three-line whip mandating their attendance, over 20 BJP MPs missed the session, which led to criticism from the Opposition. Although the absence of these MPs did not hinder the passage of the bills, the Congress seized the opportunity to question the government’s strength on the issue.
The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, introduced by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, was passed by a simple majority with 269 votes in favor and 198 against. However, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor pointed out that amending the Constitution requires a two-thirds majority. “The government undoubtedly has the numbers, but they clearly don’t have the two-thirds majority needed for a Constitutional amendment,” he said, urging the government to reconsider pushing the bill forward.
The BJP-led government plans to refer the bill to a parliamentary committee for further deliberation and consensus-building. Given the proposed amendments to synchronize parliamentary and state elections, the bill requires ratification by all state and union territory governments - an uphill task given the Opposition’s resistance.
Opposition parties argue that the bill undermines the Constitution, a claim the government has strongly denied. Defending the legislation, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal stated, “This bill aims to streamline the electoral process without tampering with the Constitution’s basic structure. It will bring electoral reforms without causing harm to the Constitution.”