Gadkari, BJP MPs skip ‘One Nation, One Election’ bill; notice likely
The BJP plans to issue notices to its Lok Sabha MPs who skipped the introduction of the ‘One Nation, One Election’ bills on Tuesday. Prominent absentees include Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari, Jyotiraditya Scindia, and Giriraj Singh. These MPs defied the party’s three-line whip, which mandated their presence during the session.
Sources revealed it remains unclear whether the absent MPs informed the party about their non-attendance due to prior commitments or other reasons. News agency ANI highlighted that nearly 20 BJP MPs, including CR Patil, Shantanu Thakur, and Jagdambika Pal, were missing during the critical session.
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced two key bills in the Lok Sabha: The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024 and The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024. These bills propose simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. However, opposition MPs opposed their introduction and demanded a division vote.
In the vote, 269 MPs supported the bills’ introduction, while 196 opposed it. Although the BJP managed to push the bills forward, its reduced strength in the division gave the opposition ammunition to criticize the government. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor noted that while the BJP has enough numbers to introduce the bills, it lacks the two-thirds majority required to pass the proposed constitutional amendments.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah clarified the government’s intent. He stated that when the cabinet approved the ‘One Nation, One Election’ bill, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recommended referring it to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed discussion. Following the introduction, the bills will now undergo further scrutiny by the JPC.
The absence of key BJP MPs during such a significant session has sparked debate. While it did not jeopardize the bill’s introduction, it showcased internal lapses in party discipline. The opposition, quick to seize the moment, questioned the BJP’s seriousness about pushing the constitutional changes through.
The government must now focus on securing broader support to pass the constitutional amendments. With a two-thirds majority required, both BJP’s attendance and coordination will prove critical in the coming sessions.
