Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently sparked controversy by claiming that the Congress party, under the leadership of Jawahar Lal Nehru, conspired to defeat Dalit icon BR Ambedkar in the 1951-52 Lok Sabha elections. This accusation was made in defense of his political confidante, Home Minister Amit Shah, who had stated that the constant mention of Ambedkar's name has become a "fashion" in Indian politics. However, historical records show that Ambedkar lost the elections to the Congress candidate not once, but twice. How did Ambedkar's relationship with Nehru affect his political career, and was his defeat really a result of Nehru's actions?
In a heated Winter Session of Parliament, the Congress party is pushing for an apology from Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his recent comments regarding Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The party's demand has intensified discussions in both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, with leaders like Rahul Gandhi criticizing the remarks. These debates are expected to be pivotal, reflecting the current political climate and legislative priorities. Additionally, there is a meeting convened by the high-level committee including PM Modi and leaders from opposing parties to discuss the appointment of the NHRC Chairman.
The proceedings in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned after Congress members protested remarks made by Home Minister Amit Shah that they claim insulted B.R. Ambedkar. Congress leaders and other opposition members raised slogans and held posters in solidarity, demanding an apology from Shah. However, the government has defended the statements, with some ministers accusing the Congress of disrespecting Ambedkar's legacy. The disruptions led to the adjournment of both Houses for the day.
In a groundbreaking move, the Lok Sabha, India's lower house of Parliament, used electronic voting for the first time on December 17 to vote on the highly contentious 'One Nation One Election' bill. This marks a historic step towards modernizing the country's legislative processes and streamlining elections. The electronic voting system is expected to improve efficiency, transparency, and accountability in the democratic process, paving the way for more significant reforms in the future.
The Modi government's proposal for One Nation One Election has sparked a heated debate in parliament, with supporters advocating for simultaneous elections while opponents argue it will undermine federalism. As the bill is introduced and voted on in the Lok Sabha, watch as panelists and top legal minds weigh in on the potential consequences of this controversial election reform.
The Indian government has taken the first step towards implementing simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, also known as "One Nation, One Election." The proposed amendments include synchronizing the terms of Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, facilitating mid-term elections, and leaving out municipal elections for now. This move aligns with the recommendations of the High-Level Committee on One Nation, One Election led by former President Ram Nath Kovind. To pass in Parliament, the Constitutional amendment will require a "special majority" in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
During a debate in the Rajya Sabha, Union Home Minister Amit Shah responded to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's accusations that the BJP wants to change the Constitution by highlighting Congress' own history of amending the Constitution for political gain. He also criticized Rahul Gandhi for claiming to represent youth while being in his 50s. Shah's statements come after the introduction of a bill to hold simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections, which faced opposition from Congress and other opposition leaders.
Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the 129th Constitutional Amendment Bill, implementing 'One Nation, One Election' in Lok Sabha. However, opposition leaders, including Congress MP's Manish Tewari and Gaurav Gogoi, raised objections to the Bill, stating that the Parliament does not have the competence to pass such a legislation. Despite the opposition, the Bill was passed with a majority and the House was adjourned till later in the day. Interestingly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had suggested sending the Bill to the Joint Parliamentary Committee for further consultation when it was first approved by the Union Cabinet.
The Indian Parliament witnessed a heated debate on Tuesday as the government introduced two bills proposing "One Nation, One Election", or simultaneous elections for both the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. While the Opposition criticized the bills for infringing upon the federal structure, the government defended its decision and sent the bills to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for further discussion. This marked the first use of electronic voting in the new Parliament House. The bills also include amendments to align assembly elections in Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry with the proposed changes.
The ruling BJP government's proposal to synchronize national and state elections has sparked heated debate in the Lok Sabha. Despite backing from three ally parties, the bill is facing strong criticism from opposition leaders who argue that it goes against the country's democratic principles and threatens to create a dictatorship. Introduced by Union Law Minister Arjun Meghwal, the bill is expected to be referred to a joint committee before moving forward.