Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram has opposed the “One Nation, One Election” proposal at a meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee for the bill today, calling it “unconstitutional”.
A total of four rounds of hearings were conducted at the marathon meeting. Leaders of political parties, civil society representatives, Padma awardees, and prominent legal policy research organizations presented their suggestions and objections. Chidambaram also noted that the government lacks the requisite two-thirds majority in Parliament to pass this bill. Trinamool Congress MP Sagarika Ghose also opposed the initiative, expressing apprehension that it would grant the Election Commission unlimited and unchecked powers.
Conversely, 10 eminent personalities and Padma awardees present at the meeting unanimously supported electoral reform, describing it as aligned with the national resolve of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India). In the first session of the meeting, Chidambaram registered detailed objections regarding the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024. Chidambaram submitted his opinion while appearing before the joint committee of Parliament on the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which aim to synchronise Lok Sabha and State assembly polls.
Appearing before the committee-chaired by BJP MP PP Chaudhary, the senior Congress leader strongly opposed the bills related to “One Nation, One Election” — labelling them “flawed,” and “illogical”. Chidambaram on Monday (August 24, 2026) strongly opposed the proposed move to hold simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and State assemblies before a joint committee of Parliament , decrying the initiative as “monstrous” and “unconstitutional. The former Home and Finance Minister also said that the proposal to hold nationwide polls under “One Nation, One Election” is a “mindless” exercise. Earlier reporting noted: Sources said Mr. Earlier reporting noted: The senior Congress leader contended that the bills on simultaneous polls are “unconstitutional”. He argued that since any legislature is elected for a five-year term, curtailing its tenure directly violates the basic structure of the Constitution, sources aware of the deliberations said.
Earlier reporting noted: ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal is ‘unconstitutional’: Chidambaram to parliament panel Former Union minister P.
In today’s meeting, experts associated with prominent organisations specialising in law and policy, such as ‘Nation First Policy Research’ and the ‘Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy’, also offered their suggestions. Chaudhary added that there appears to be a widespread desire to implement this process.
