In a significant development during the Winter Session of Parliament on Friday, the 129th Constitutional Amendment Bill related to ‘One Nation-One Election’ was sent to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). This decision was taken amidst protests by the opposition, following which the proceedings of the Lok Sabha were adjourned indefinitely.
As soon as the Lok Sabha proceedings began at 11 a.m., opposition parties created a ruckus over the issue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Opposition members stormed into the well of the House, shouting slogans. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also present in the House during this commotion. Amid the uproar, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal proposed to refer the Constitutional Amendment Bill to the JPC. The proposal was passed by voice vote. The committee comprises 27 members, of which 12 are from the Rajya Sabha.
During the session, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla made an important announcement, stating that no political party, Member of Parliament, or group of members would be allowed to hold protests or demonstrations at the gates of Parliament. He emphasized that maintaining the dignity of the Parliament building and its prestigious institution is a collective responsibility of all MPs. He also warned that any protests or demonstrations in the Parliament premises would lead to action. This directive is seen as a move to uphold the sanctity of the parliamentary complex.
Meanwhile, due to the opposition’s protests and the ongoing deadlock in the House, the Speaker adjourned the proceedings indefinitely. The session concluded with the recitation of Vande Mataram
It is noteworthy that the ‘One Nation-One Election’ proposal is one of the government’s flagship initiatives, aimed at synchronizing parliamentary and assembly elections. The bill, now referred to the JPC, signifies a potential transformation in the country’s electoral process. The committee will conduct a detailed discussion on the bill and submit its report to the House.
