Debate Erupts Over Simultaneous Polls: A Parliamentary Scrutiny

The Congress has nominated MPs Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and others for a parliamentary committee to scrutinize bills on simultaneous elections, while Trinamool Congress suggested its own members. Two controversial bills sparked heated debate in Lok Sabha, with Congress opposing them as anti-constitutional, a claim the government denies.

The Congress party has named Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Manish Tewari, Sukhdeo Bhagat, and Randeep Surjewala as potential members for the parliamentary committee set to assess bills concerning simultaneous elections, insiders revealed on Wednesday.

The Trinamool Congress brought forward the names of its Lok Sabha member Kalyan Banerjee and Rajya Sabha member Saket Gokhale for this committee. Other political parties are also selecting their representatives for the panel.

In the backdrop of a fiery Lok Sabha debate on Tuesday, two bills aimed at establishing a mechanism for simultaneous elections were introduced, generating significant opposition. The bills, a constitutional amendment and an ordinary bill, were criticized by opposition parties as threats to the federal structure, allegations dismissed by the government. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra vocalized strong opposition, labeling the bills 'anti-constitutional' and detrimental to national federalism.

(With inputs from agencies.)