BJP and Shiv Sena Issue Whips for Lok Sabha Session as Key Legislative Bills Set for Discussion
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has issued a ‘three-line whip’ to all its Members of Parliament (MPs) in the Lok Sabha, urging their presence on Tuesday, December 17, for the ongoing legislative session. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to respond to the debate on the supplementary demands for grants for the fiscal year 2024-25. Additionally, a crucial bill regarding simultaneous elections is slated to be introduced.
The Shiv Sena has also directed its Lok Sabha MPs to be present for Tuesday’s session, highlighting the importance of the legislative work scheduled for discussion. According to Shiv Sena’s Chief Whip in the Lok Sabha, Shrirang Barne, the day’s agenda includes significant issues, making it mandatory for all party members to attend the session.
The primary legislative business for Tuesday includes the introduction of the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, which aims to address the topic of simultaneous elections. Union Law Minister Arjun Meghwal is set to introduce the bill, which seeks to synchronize elections for state assemblies in Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry with the national Lok Sabha elections.
Another bill expected to be introduced seeks amendments to 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, in order to align elections for assemblies in these regions with the proposed system of simultaneous elections.
Earlier this month, the Union Cabinet approved the ‘One Nation, One Election’ bill, which has garnered significant support from the BJP and its allies. However, several opposition parties, including Congress, Trinamool Congress, and DMK, have voiced strong opposition to the proposal.
The bill’s provisions were based on the recommendations of the High-Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections, chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind. The committee outlined a phased implementation, suggesting that the first phase should involve simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly elections, with local body elections to follow within 100 days of general elections. The panel also recommended a common electoral roll for all elections, aimed at streamlining the election process across the nation.
As the session progresses, all eyes will be on how these significant legislative proposals unfold in the Lok Sabha.
