In a significant development surrounding the contentious proposal of ‘One Nation-One Election,’ the Joint Parliamentary Committee examining the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, held a key consultative meeting with Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in Shimla. The session marked an important stop in the committee’s ongoing nationwide outreach aimed at gathering diverse political opinions on the central government’s push for simultaneous elections.
The high-profile committee, led by Chairperson P.P. Choudhary, was received with traditional Himachali warmth, as the Chief Minister presented members with local caps and shawls in a customary gesture of hospitality. The discussions took place against the scenic backdrop of Shimla but focused on deeply constitutional issues that could potentially reshape India’s electoral landscape.
Chief Minister Sukhu, joined by Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, articulated the state government’s reservations about the proposed legislation. Although the Congress Party, to which both leaders belong, opposes the concept of simultaneous elections on principle, Sukhu acknowledged the importance of participating in democratic discourse. He noted that while Himachal Pradesh opposes the current draft of the bill, the state government has provided constructive suggestions aimed at preserving the foundational ethos of India’s parliamentary democracy.
One of the primary suggestions conveyed by the Chief Minister to the committee was the inclusion of provisions for holding by-elections within a year. This, he emphasized, is crucial to upholding the democratic rights of citizens in case of vacancies caused by resignations, deaths, or disqualifications. He reiterated that any systemic shift, particularly of the magnitude envisioned by ‘One Nation-One Election,’ must not compromise the essence of people’s representation and the right to timely elections.
Among the attendees was Anurag Thakur, Member of Parliament from Hamirpur and a member of the parliamentary committee. His presence added a layer of political complexity to the discussions, given his central role in national politics and his party’s support for the proposed electoral overhaul.
In an informal interaction with media following the meeting, Chief Minister Sukhu reiterated that while the Congress Party may not agree with the ‘One Nation-One Election’ framework as it stands, the democratic process mandates engagement. The Chief Minister stated that the goal should be to evolve a consensus that enhances democratic participation rather than curtailing it through uniformity imposed from the top.
The interaction between the committee and the Himachal leadership underscores the balancing act that the central government faces in pushing forward this major constitutional reform. As the committee continues its deliberations across states, the views expressed by Himachal Pradesh add to the chorus of states emphasizing federal autonomy and the nuanced functioning of Indian democracy.
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