New Delhi: Key National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ally Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) has expressed concerns over the Centre’s ‘One Nation One Election’ Bill, urging the government not to rush through the legislation and instead undertake wider consultations.
This development came at an all-party meeting convened by the BJP-led NDA government ahead of the Budget session of parliament, The New Indian Express reported.
The meeting, chaired by Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Kiren Rijiju, J.P. Nadda, Arjun Ram Meghwal, and L. Murugan, saw JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha emphasise the need for caution in implementing the Bill. The proposed legislation, which aims to synchronise polls to Lok Sabha and state assemblies, has been referred to a 39-member Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for further scrutiny.
Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs attending the all party meeting ahead of the Budget session. Photo: X/@SanjayJhaBihar
Leaders from various political parties, including Congress, Left, and Trinamool Congress (TMC), attended the meeting.
Notably, Jha and another ally Telugu Desam Party (TDP) raised concerns about the seating arrangement in the new Lok Sabha, echoing concerns first raised by Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi. The MPs contended that the seating arrangements were made unilaterally.
The meeting sets the stage for a potentially contentious session, with several Opposition MPs poised to challenge the government on issues such as mismanagement and VVIP culture that contributed to the stampede at Maha Kumbh and procedural lapses in the Waqf JPC’s functioning.
