What happened: Joint Committee hearings on simultaneous elections
P. Chidambaram appeared before the Joint Committee of Parliament examining two legislative proposals: the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill. Chidambaram strongly opposed holding simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections under the “One Nation, One Election” framework.
Chidambaram’s opposition rested on constitutional and procedural claims:
Chidambaram described the proposal as unconstitutional, arguing that synchronising elections would weaken core constitutional guarantees.Chidambaram argued that synchronising elections would undermine the fixed five-year term of legislatures, which in turn violates the Constitution’s basic structure (the principle that some core features cannot be destroyed even via constitutional amendment).Chidambaram also argued that the government does not have the two-thirds majority required for a constitutional amendment.
Padma awardees and independent think tanks: support, concerns, and postponement safeguards
The Joint Committee of Parliament, headed by BJP MP P. P. Chaudhary, held a multi-part meeting that included Chidambaram, Padma awardees, and independent think tanks.
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