Former union minister P Chidambaram opposes the proposed ‘One Nation, One Election’ framework. Photo credit: ANI NEW DELHI: Former union minister P Chidambaram has opposed the proposed ‘One Nation, One Election’ framework before a joint parliamentary committee, calling the initiative “unconstitutional”, “monstrous” and “mindless”.Chidambaram, who appeared before the panel examining the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, argued that synchronising Lok Sabha and state assembly elections could violate the constitutional framework governing elected legislatures.Sources, quoted by news agency PTI, said the former home and finance minister told the panel that since legislatures are elected for five-year terms, curtailing their tenure would amount to a violation of the basic structure of the Constitution.Chidambaram also said his conscience did not allow him to support the proposed legislation and argued that the government does not have the required two-thirds majority to pass the bills, sources told PTI.The Congress leader described the proposal to hold nationwide elections simultaneously as a “mindless” exercise and strongly opposed the government’s push for simultaneous polls.Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Sagarika Ghosh, who is also a member of the committee, separately opposed the bills. Ghosh said the proposal could give “unbridled” power to the Election Commission, sources said.The joint committee, headed by BJP MP PP Chaudhary, also heard representations from around 10 Padma awardees, including Tarlochan Singh, Navin Khanna, Meenakshi Jain and Niru Kumar. While some supported simultaneous elections, others opposed the proposal, warning that it could lead to “chaos” in the country.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe two bills were introduced in the Lok Sabha in December 2024 and subsequently referred to the joint committee for detailed examination.The proposal followed recommendations from a high-level committee headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind, which suggested holding Lok Sabha, state assembly and local body elections simultaneously in a phased manner. Union Home Minister Amit Shah was also a member of the panel.India had earlier held Lok Sabha and state assembly elections together from 1951-52 through 1967. The cycle was disrupted after premature dissolutions of some state assemblies in 1968 and 1969, followed by the early dissolution of the Fourth Lok Sabha in 1970 and fresh general elections in 1971.Since then, staggered election cycles have become the norm, with several Lok Sabha and state assembly terms ending before their full five-year tenure.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorSubhadra SrivastavaSubhadra Srivastava is a journalist with The Times of India, covering geopolitics, international and national affairs. With over three years of experience, she focuses on national and global developments, conflict, diplomacy and their impact on India. Her work combines breaking news with in-depth analysis, offering readers context and clarity on the stories shaping the world.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Ram-Ram Inside, Fish Feast Outside’: Yogi Adityanath Slams Cong Over Ayodhya Event; Ajay Rai ReactsDisplaced By Ken-Betwa Project, Tribals Now Struggle For Basic Amenities | ExclusiveIn Leaked Audio, Lawrence Bishnoi’s Aide Goldy Brar Claims He Killed Hardeep Nijjar In Canada‘Watching Your Every Move’: Fresh Threat Letter Targets Kashmiri Pandits In J&KChennai Murder Mystery: Woman’s Remains Found on Tamil Nadu Express, Police Hunt Couple in Odisha’No Full Press Conference’: US Envoy Gor On India’s ‘No Questions’ Request Before Modi-Trump Meet‘Represented India In 3 Nations’: Former Envoy Flags ‘Trouble Establishing Citizenship’ During SIRJaish Rebuilds Bahawalpur Complex Struck By India During Op Sindoor’India Can Attract Global Talent With Your Help’: PM Modi Meets Space Startups On National Space DayDelhi Cops Attacked With Chilli Powder & Bricks In Mukundpur; 17-Year-Old Arrested123PhotostoriesPriyanka Chopra’s architectural black gown just proved that red-carpet glam needs a little more attitude10 of the world’s most colourful birds to see in the wildBlood sugar running high despite cutting back on sweets? Doctors explain 5 nutrients that may help your body manage glucose better‘She believed in the old nuskhas’: Karisma Kapoor reveals her grandmother’s skincare secret that the Kapoor clan adoptedArchana Puran Singh’s son Aaryamann Sethi set to buy his first luxurious house; tells Parmeet, ‘Your son is becoming a man’Kiara Advani’s black velvet saree is proof that gothic glam looks better with a desi twistFrom water filters to kitchen bowls: 5 practical uses of coconut shell5 Morning lessons Sadhguru wants children to learn: From waking up with a smile to practising yoga, taking responsibility and more5 Plants to grow now for beautiful blooms through fallBigg Boss Tamil: From Bindu Madhavi to Divya Ganesh; a look at wildcard entries across all seasons123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareSchool holiday todayKPMG AustraliaTrump tariffIOB LBO recruitmentNEET UG 2026Parandur airportSIM card rulesNEET PG 2026 admit cardTop TrendingMumbai Auto Driver ProtestReservation Hatao AndolanKurukshetra MurderPunjab SIRCM VijayDelhi ITO AccidentChennai MurderGodhani Water Plant Gas LeakAmravati Hospital FireAston Martin Crash
NEW DELHI: Former union minister P Chidambaram has opposed the proposed ‘One Nation, One Election’ framework before a joint parliamentary committee, calling the initiative “unconstitutional”, “monstrous” and “mindless”.Chidambaram, who appeared before the panel examining the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, argued that synchronising Lok Sabha and state assembly elections could violate the constitutional framework governing elected legislatures.Sources, quoted by news agency PTI, said the former home and finance minister told the panel that since legislatures are elected for five-year terms, curtailing their tenure would amount to a violation of the basic structure of the Constitution.Chidambaram also said his conscience did not allow him to support the proposed legislation and argued that the government does not have the required two-thirds majority to pass the bills, sources told PTI.The Congress leader described the proposal to hold nationwide elections simultaneously as a “mindless” exercise and strongly opposed the government’s push for simultaneous polls.Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Sagarika Ghosh, who is also a member of the committee, separately opposed the bills. Ghosh said the proposal could give “unbridled” power to the Election Commission, sources said.The joint committee, headed by BJP MP PP Chaudhary, also heard representations from around 10 Padma awardees, including Tarlochan Singh, Navin Khanna, Meenakshi Jain and Niru Kumar. While some supported simultaneous elections, others opposed the proposal, warning that it could lead to “chaos” in the country.
Share your thoughts in the comments
Be respectful · TOI community guidelines
The two bills were introduced in the Lok Sabha in December 2024 and subsequently referred to the joint committee for detailed examination.The proposal followed recommendations from a high-level committee headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind, which suggested holding Lok Sabha, state assembly and local body elections simultaneously in a phased manner. Union Home Minister Amit Shah was also a member of the panel.India had earlier held Lok Sabha and state assembly elections together from 1951-52 through 1967. The cycle was disrupted after premature dissolutions of some state assemblies in 1968 and 1969, followed by the early dissolution of the Fourth Lok Sabha in 1970 and fresh general elections in 1971.Since then, staggered election cycles have become the norm, with several Lok Sabha and state assembly terms ending before their full five-year tenure.
