Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Manish Tewari, Sukhdeo Bhagat, and Randeep Surjewala are expected to represent the party in the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) tasked with reviewing the simultaneous polls legislation, according to sources.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has already voiced her opposition to the proposed law, calling it “anti-constitutional” and an attack on India’s federal structure. “It is against the federalism of our nation. We are opposing the bill,” she stated.
The Trinamool Congress, led by Mamata Banerjee, has also nominated Lok Sabha MP Kalyan Banerjee and Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale to the JPC.
The Simultaneous Polls Bill Sparks Heated Debate
The legislation proposing synchronized assembly and general elections was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, following intense debate between the opposition and the government.
The Congress-led opposition strongly criticized the bills, with leaders from the DMK, Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress, and AIMIM terming them as undermining the Constitution. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal clarified during the session that the proposed law would not infringe upon the states’ powers.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah informed the House that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had suggested referring the bills to a JPC for detailed examination.
Division of Votes
The bill was introduced after a division of votes, with 263 members voting in favor and 198 opposing it.
The proposal comes months after a panel led by former President Ram Nath Kovind consulted stakeholders, including political parties. Of these, 32 parties expressed support for the measure, while 15 opposed it.
What Lies Ahead
Amit Shah assured the House of detailed discussions within the JPC and emphasized that its report would be approved by the Cabinet before further deliberation in Parliament.
