Guwahati, Dec 18: Gaurav Gogoi, the Deputy Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, has criticized the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which propose simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and the Legislative Assemblies of states and Union Territories (UTs). He described the bills as unconstitutional, arguing that they undermine the core principles of the Indian Constitution.
Gogoi raised concerns about the provision in the bills that would empower the Election Commission of India (ECI) to recommend to the President to delay elections for state and UT legislatures. He noted that such powers had never been granted to the ECI before and suggested that it violates constitutional provisions, particularly Articles 74 and 356, which govern the President’s actions based on the advice of the Council of Ministers.
The Congress leader further criticized the bills for threatening the separation of powers, a fundamental principle of the Constitution. He argued that the proposed changes would increase the powers of the President, bypassing state and UT legislatures. Gogoi also questioned the government’s claims that simultaneous elections would save money, pointing to the Election Commission’s 2014 report estimating election costs at Rs 3,700 crore. He accused the government of prioritizing unconstitutional actions over prudent financial management and the preservation of democracy.