Ex-CJI Gavai says ONOE bill does not violate constitution’s basic structure | India News
New Delhi: Former Chief Justice of India BR Gavai told a parliamentary committee on Thursday that the simultaneous elections bill does not violate the basic structure of the Constitution.Becoming the sixth former CJI to appear before a joint committee of parliament headed by BJP MP PP Chaudhary, Gavai said that if the bill is enacted, it will not affect the federal structure or democratic governance, making the proposed law in line with the original framework, sources familiar with the discussions said.The One-Nation-One-Election Bill, commonly known as the 129th Constitution (Amendment) Bill, changes the electoral system only once, while the electoral structure and voter rights remain the same.Buoyed by Gavai’s support, Chowdhury said opposition parties should join the ruling coalition to support the bill so that the proposed law crystallizes, paving the way for coherent Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.It is in the national interest, and all parties should put aside their political interests to support the proposal, he told reporters, adding that most legal experts found no constitutional flaw in the bill.The former CJI rejected criticism that questioned the order of Parliament as the bill also affects states and said the legislature has a mandate, sources added.He noted that India held simultaneous elections till 1967.The entire bloc of opposition parties condemned the bill as an attack on India’s federal structure and questioned the government’s rationale in support of it.
