Panchkula (Haryana) [India], December 19 (ANI): Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini on Tuesday welcomed the 'One Nation, One Election' bill, stating that the initiative will create a balance between the speed of governance and financial efficiency. He dismissed opposition protests, accusing the Congress of opposing every positive initiative.

Speaking to mediapersons, Saini said, "Continuous elections cost a lot and slow down development and progress. One Nation, One Election will create a balance between speed of work and finances. This bill should be passed. Congress opposes every good initiative, that's their only agenda."

Earlier in the day, the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, and 'The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024' were formally introduced in the Lok Sabha after a voting process.

The bill proposes simultaneous elections to both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. It will be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed discussions.

The Speaker of the Lok Sabha announced the vote results, with 269 members in favour and 196 against. Following the vote, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal formally introduced the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, on 'One Nation, One Election.' Union Home Minister Amit Shah supported the move, emphasizing the necessity of detailed discussions in the JPC.

"When the One Nation, One Election Bill was taken up in the cabinet for approval, PM Modi had said that it should be sent to the JPC for detailed discussion. If the Law Minister is willing to send the bill to the JPC, the discussion on its introduction can end," said Amit Shah.

Additionally, Meghwal introduced a bill to amend the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963, the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019. These amendments aim to align elections in Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, and Puducherry with the proposed simultaneous elections.

Meanwhile, Congress MP Manish Tewari opposed the move, arguing that the proposed amendments violate the Constitution's basic structure doctrine, including federalism and democratic principles.

"Beyond the seventh schedule of the Constitution is the basic structure doctrine, which spells out that there are certain features of the Constitution beyond the amending power of the House. The essential features are federalism and the structure of our democracy. Therefore, the bills moved by the Minister of Law and Justice are an absolute assault on the basic structure of the Constitution and are beyond the legislative competence of the House," Tewari said.

DMK MP TR Baalu also opposed the bill, calling it "anti-federal" and asserting that electors have the right to choose their government for a five-year term, which cannot be altered by simultaneous elections.

Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav echoed similar concerns, stating, "I oppose the 129th Amendment Act of the Constitution. This Constitution Amendment Bill undermines the basic spirit and structure of the Constitution. On behalf of my party and my leader Akhilesh Yadav, I strongly oppose this move." (ANI)