In a significant move against the government’s proposed constitutional amendment for simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, Congress MP Manish Tewari has filed a notice in the Lok Sabha to oppose the introduction of the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024. Tewari raised concerns over the bill’s potential violation of the constitutional principles of federalism and democracy. He pointed out that the bill, which seeks to impose uniform elections across all states, could erode state autonomy, diminish local democratic engagement, and centralize power in the hands of the Union government. According to Tewari, the proposal undermines the diversity and federal framework that are essential to India’s political system.

Tewari also highlighted that the bill’s provisions would lead to the premature dissolution of state assemblies, thus altering the fixed tenure of legislative bodies as guaranteed by the Constitution. This, he argued, would violate the basic structure doctrine laid out by the Supreme Court in the landmark Kesavananda Bharati case, which prohibits any amendments that could damage the fundamental principles of the Constitution. The bill’s provision for simultaneous elections is seen as a direct challenge to the federal structure by disregarding the unique political, cultural, and social contexts of individual states, Tewari stated.

In his notice, Tewari emphasized that the proposed changes could lead to an over-centralization of power, weakening the authority of elected state governments and jeopardizing grassroots democracy. He also warned that the bill could pave the way for prolonged periods of President’s Rule in states, further entrenching central control. In light of these concerns, Tewari urged the Union Government to reconsider the introduction of the bill and address the constitutional issues raised before moving forward with its implementation.