BJP Plans Action Against MPs Absent During ‘One Nation One Election’ Bill Introduction
New Delhi, 18th December 2024: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is planning to take action against its Members of Parliament (MPs) who were absent during the Lok Sabha session on Tuesday when the ‘One Nation One Election’ (ONOE) bill was introduced. A total of 20 BJP MPs, including Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari, Jyotiraditya Scindia, and Giriraj Singh, were not present during the session.
The BJP had previously issued a three-line whip, directing all party MPs to attend the session. The high number of absentees has reportedly upset party leadership, according to sources. However, it was noted that several MPs had informed the party in advance about their absence due to personal or work-related commitments.
On Tuesday, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal presented two bills related to holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha. The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill was introduced after a 90-minute debate, with 263 members voting in favour and 198 against it. Meghwal also introduced the Union Territories Amendment Bill, aimed at synchronizing elections in Puducherry, Delhi, and Jammu and Kashmir with the Lok Sabha elections.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized that Prime Minister Narendra Modi supported referring the bills to a joint parliamentary committee for more extensive deliberations. “Detailed discussions can take place in the JPC. The report of the JPC will be approved by the Cabinet, and further discussions will follow in the House,” Shah said.
The opposition has criticized the move, calling it “dictatorial” and a threat to the powers of the states, though Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal dismissed these concerns.
