Chidambaram tells parliamentary panel simultaneous polls bill flawed

Former Union minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Monday told a joint parliamentary committee that the proposed simultaneous elections legislation, in its current form, is flawed and undermines the basic structure of the Constitution, particularly the core principles of parliamentary democracy.

Chidambaram, a Rajya Sabha member, made the submission during a meeting of the committee examining the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024. These bills seek to enable simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

According to sources, Chidambaram argued that since any legislature is elected for a five-year term, curtailing its tenure would directly violate the basic structure of the Constitution. He reportedly said his conscience does not allow him to support the bills and stressed that the government lacks the two-thirds majority required to pass the legislation.

The committee also heard from Padma awardees and representatives of policy research groups. Some awardees supported the proposal, saying frequent enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct halts development projects and that synchronised elections would ensure uninterrupted regional development. Others opposed it.

Opposition members on the committee are learnt to have objected to the proposal, claiming it would concentrate excessive power with the Election Commission of India.

Committee chairperson and BJP MP P P Chaudhary told reporters that Monday's meeting lasted over seven hours. He described the discussion with Chidambaram as healthy and academic, with all members seeking clarifications. He said the committee, across party lines, is working in the national interest to create the best possible framework for 'One Nation, One Election'.

The bills were introduced in the Lok Sabha in December 2024 and subsequently referred to the joint committee for examination.