New Delhi, January 8, 2025 – The first meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the ‘One Nation, One Election’ (ONOE) proposal witnessed a peculiar moment that sparked widespread curiosity. Among the highlights of the gathering was a massive 52-kg suitcase handed to Members of Parliament (MPs) as they exited the meeting.
This suitcase, far from being an ordinary piece of luggage, contained critical documents to aid MPs in understanding the ONOE proposal. According to officials present at the meeting, the suitcase comprised 23 volumes, including 21 annexures prepared by the high-powered committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind. The remaining documents were committee reports in English and Hindi. In total, the material spanned an exhaustive 18,000 pages, featuring reports from the Law Commission, case references, and more.
While many MPs handed over the hefty suitcase to their assistants or used the elevator to transport it, BJP MP Dr. Sambit Patra caught attention as he carried the suitcase down the stairs with apparent ease, drawing smiles and light-hearted comments from those present.
Key Agenda of the Meeting
The JPC meeting, attended by 37 out of 39 MPs, was led by BJP MP PP Chaudhary. Officials from the Ministry of Law and Justice, including Law Secretary Rajiv Mani, made a detailed presentation focusing on three critical aspects:
1. The background of the ONOE initiative.
2. The rationale for its introduction.
3. Specific proposals included in the related bills.
The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill were discussed during the meeting. The proposed amendments aim to streamline simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies, reduce election-related costs, and improve administrative efficiency.
Opposition and Support
The initiative has garnered mixed reactions. While the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) champions it as a cost-effective and time-saving measure, opposition parties have raised logistical concerns. Some MPs pointed out the challenges of synchronizing elections across states, citing recent examples where polls in Maharashtra and Jharkhand were not aligned with those in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir.
Notably, during consultations led by the high-level committee, 32 political parties expressed support for the ONOE proposal, while 15 opposed it.
Proposed Changes
The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill introduces significant changes:
A new Article 82A proposes simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and legislative assemblies.
Amendments to Articles 83, 172, and 327 redefine the duration and electoral provisions for parliamentary and state legislatures.
The President would issue a notification specifying the “appointed date” for the tenure of both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, ensuring synchronization.
Despite the serious discussions, the 52-kg suitcase became an unlikely centerpiece of the day, providing a moment of levity in an otherwise intense debate.
The JPC will continue its deliberations, with both supporters and critics keenly watching its next steps.
