Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh died at Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Thursday. He was 92. 

In a statement, the hospital said the Congress veteran was being treated for age-related medical conditions and had “sudden loss of consciousness at home”. “Despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9.51pm,” the statement said.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Manish Tewari are on the Congress’ list of nominees to a joint parliamentary committee that will study the ‘one nation, one election’ Constitution Amendment Bill that was tabled in Parliament yesterday, sources told NDTV Wednesday afternoon. 

Mr Tewari was the first opposition leader to speak out against the ‘one nation, one election’ proposal after the bill was placed in the House; the Congress leader said the move to a single election model  “directly challenges the federal nature of the country… by imposing uniformity across states”.

The Congress, the single largest opposition party in Parliament, has also named Randeep Surjewala and Sukhdeo Bhagat Singh, while the Trinamool has named Saket Gokhale and Kalyan Banerjee.

Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena has nominated Anil Desai, while the faction led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will be represented by his son, Shrikant Shinde, sources said further.

The committee can have a maximum of 31 MPs based on each party’s Lok Sabha numbers. This favour the ruling BJP – the largest party in the Lower House with 240 MPs. The Congress has 99 MPs.

A maximum of 10 committee members can also be drawn from the Upper House; Mr Surjewala and Mr Gokhale, for example, are from the Rajya Sabha. The BJP, sources told NDTV, will lead the committee.

‘One Nation, One Poll’ Committee

The JPC is expected to hold “wider consultations” with various stakeholders, including MPs not part of the committee and other legal and constitutional experts, such as former judges and lawyers.

Former members of the Election Commission may also be consulted.

The Election Commission is the top poll body in the country and will have the extraordinarily mammoth task of organising simultaneous Lok Sabha and state elections, if the bills to amend the Constitution, and the ‘one nation, one election’ bill itself, are passed by Parliament and then ratified by the states.

READ | 31 Members, 90-Day Term: What We Know About ‘ONOP’ Panel

Sources also said the BJP is keen on consulting all Assembly Speakers, while feedback will also likely be sought from the public. Once these inputs have been gathered, sources said the committee will consider each aspect, moving clause by clause, of the two bills proposing changes to the Constitution.

The committee will have an initial 90 days to submit its report.

What Is Constitution Amendment Bill?

The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill proposes changes to five articles of the Constitution to allow for the conduct of simultaneous federal and state elections, as the first step in the ‘one nation, one poll’ electoral model pushed by the BJP.

Introduced by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal in the Lok Sabha, it prompted hours of bitter arguments, debates, and protests before the opposition forced a division vote – unusual at this stage of a bill – for Parliament to formally accept the proposed legislation.

READ | Congress’ “Two-Thirds Majority” Jab At BJP Over ‘One Nation, One Poll’

This first hurdle was easily cleared; 269 MPs voted to table it, while 198 stood opposed. That narrow margin – enough to introduce the proposed law but not enough to pass it, if that was a vote to do so.

BJP vs Opposition Over ONOP

The tabling of the bill saw fierce protests from almost every major opposition party.

The Congress, the Trinamool, the Samajwadi Party, and the DMK all spoke out against it, demanding it either be scrapped or sent to a joint committee, while the Shiv Sena group led by ex-Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and the NCP of Sharad Pawar also expressed their opposition.

Asaduddin Owaisi of the AIMIM rose to make a brief but forceful point, asserting the proposed changes to the Constitution would violate states’ right to self-governance. 

READ | “Not Tampering With State Powers”: Law Minister On ‘One Nation, One Poll’

There were, however, also stray voices of support.

Two of the BJP’s allies – Andhra Pradesh’s ruling Telugu Desam Party and the Sena faction of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde – spoke of their “unequivocal” support for the bill.

The YSR Congress of ex Andhra Chief Minister Jagan Reddy and Punjab’s Shiromani Akali Dal are also understood to be backing the ‘one nation, one election’ push.

What Is ‘One Nation, One Election’?

Simply put, it means all Indians will vote in Lok Sabha and Assembly elections – to pick central and state representatives – in the same year, if not at the same time.

As of 2024, only four states voted with a Lok Sabha election – Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Odisha voted alongside the April-June Lok Sabha election. Three others – Maharashtra, Haryana, and Jammu and Kashmir – voted in October-November.

NDTV Special | ‘One Nation, One Election’: What Is It And How Will It Work

The rest follow a non-synced five-year cycle; Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Telangana, for example, were among those voted at different times last year, while Delhi and Bihar will vote in 2025 and Tamil Nadu and Bengal are among those that will vote in 2026.

Can ‘One Nation, One Election’ Work?

Not without an amendment to the Constitution and that amendment being ratified by the governments of all states and union territories, as well as, possibly, major political parties.

NDTV Explains | ‘One Nation, One Election’. What Are Pros And Cons?

These are Article 83 (term of Parliament), Article 85 (dissolution of Lok Sabha by the President), Article 172 (duration of state legislatures), and Article 174 (dissolution of state legislatures), as well as Article 356 (imposition of President’s Rule).

Legal experts have warned that failure to pass such amendments will leave the proposal open to attack on charges of violating India’s federal structure.

New Delhi:

In a swipe at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday said throwing youths into the war zone in Israel for “employment” is not an achievement but a matter of shame.

Her remarks came after Adityanath took a veiled jibe at Priyanka Gandhi for carrying a handbag to Parliament that had ‘Palestine’ emblazoned on it.

“Yesterday, a Congress leader was seen walking around Parliament carrying a Palestine bag, while we are sending our youth to Israel for opportunities.

“So far, more than 5,600 youth from Uttar Pradesh have gone to Israel for construction work. Every youth gets free food and accommodation besides a monthly salary of Rs 1.5 lakh there. There is also full guarantee of safety,” Adityanath said on the second day of the Winter Session of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly.

Hitting back at Adityanath, Priyanka Gandhi said those who sent Uttar Pradesh’s youths to war-torn Israel instead of providing them employment are calling it their achievement.

“They are neither aware of the unemployment situation in the state nor do they understand the pain of those youths and their families,” she said.

According to reports, the youths who have gone to work in Israel are saving their lives by hiding in bunkers and the companies are exploiting them, she said in a post in Hindi.

“Their families are always scared. Our promising youths are forced to risk their lives for employment because you cannot provide employment,” Priyanka Gandhi said.

“Throwing our youths into the war zone for employment is not something to pat on the back but a matter of shame.” 

In his remarks, Adityanath said, “Recently, the ambassador of Israel visited Uttar Pradesh and said they want more youths from the state, as they are doing good work there. The world is now acknowledging the skills of our youths. When these youths send money home, they contribute to the development of the state. We should congratulate them.” 

On Tuesday, Congress’ Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi was seen carrying a cream-coloured handbag to Parliament on which it was written “Bangladesh Ke Hindu Aur Isaiyon Ke Saath Khade Ho” (stand with the Hindus and Christians of Bangladesh).

Several Congress MPs led by Priyanka Gandhi also staged a protest on the Parliament premises demanding justice for Hindus and Christians facing atrocities in Bangladesh.

This came a day after she expressed solidarity with the people of Palestine by carrying a handbag with ‘Palestine’ emblazoned on it. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has described as “typical patriarchy” the BJP’s protest against her over a bag with “Palestine” written on it. “Who is going to decide what clothes I wear now? Who is going to decide that? That’s typical patriarchy that you decide what women wear also. I don’t subscribe to that. I will wear what I want,” she told the media after being asked about the bag that sparked a massive row in Parliament yesterday.

Holding up the bag, she said, “I have said many times what my beliefs are regarding this. If you look at my Twitter handle all my comments are over there.”

The bag carried by the Wayanad MP to Parliament yesterday had Palestine written on it. It also featured a watermelon, a symbol of solidarity with Palestine. Ms Gandhi Vadra has been vocal against Israel’s offensive against Palestine after the attacks by Hamas in October last year.

“Who’s going to decide the clothes I wear now, that’s typical patriarchy”

A woman who wears her heart and her beliefs to her sleeves. Rockstar PGV #PalestineGenocide#PriyankaGandhipic.twitter.com/Ye0ZKC0n0r

— Priyamwada (@PriaINC) December 16, 2024

The Congress MP’s bag drew cheers from her supporters and a wave of criticism from a section of BJP MPs. Gulam Ali Khatana, Rajya Sabha MP from the BJP, told news agency IANS, “People do such things for news. When they have been rejected by the people, they resort to such actions.”

North-East Delhi MP Manoj Tiwari accused Ms Gandhi Vadra of “appeasement”. “Congress does appeasement. They don’t do anything good for the Muslim community. They use different agendas to get votes. Now, the people of the country know this trick.”

Union Minister SP Singh Baghel said the Congress MP was trying to consolidate Muslim votes. “This is not just a coincidence. She is trying to send a message. If only she carried an Indian bag, which is unique for every district and is being made in several cities, including Agra, Kanpur, Chennai, etc. If she could use ‘Swadeshi’ product, it would greatly boost that industry… By carrying a bag written Palestine on it, she is trying to appease, satisfy and polarise the Muslim votes,” he told ANI.

The first-time MP trashed this criticism and said the Centre must take steps to protect minorities in Bangladesh after the ouster of Sheik Hasina instead of focusing on “useless things”. “The atrocities happening in Bangladesh, against minorities and Hindus… something should be done regarding this… and they should not say such useless things,” she said.

The Centre has said its policy on the Palestine issue has been consistent. “We have supported a negotiated two State solution, towards establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine within secure and recognized borders, living side by side in peace with Israel,” the Ministry of External Affairs has said.

New Delhi:

The Congress on Saturday termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 11 resolutions he articulated in his speech in the Lok Sabha as “hollow” and called him a “distorian” par excellence who “puts WhatsApp University to shame.”

The opposition party also questioned why Prime Minister Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh were not present in the House when Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi spoke while participating in a two-day debate on the “Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India.”

PM Modi on Saturday said the Congress, having “tasted blood,” repeatedly wounded the Constitution while his government’s policies and decisions since it took office in 2014 have been aimed at boosting India’s strength and unity in line with the Constitution.

Asked about the PM’s remarks, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra likened his over 110-minutes speech in the Lok Sabha to a “double period of mathematics” from school that “bored us.” She also slammed his 11 resolutions as “hollow”.

“PM has not spoken one thing which is new, he has bored us. It took me decades back, I felt like I’m sitting in that double period of Mathematics,” she said.

“(JP) Nadda ji was also rubbing hands but as soon as Modi ji looked at him, he started acting as if he is listening attentively. Amit Shah also had his hand on head, (Piyush) Goyal ji was going off to sleep. It was a new experience for me. I had thought that the PM will say something new, something nice,” she said.

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, “Mr. Narendra Modi has an MA in Entire Political Science — whatever that means. Today in the Lok Sabha he showed that he is also a Distorian par excellence.”

“Some people lie in their self-interest, but our self-styled non-biological PM does so because it is in his very nature. He puts WhatsApp University to shame,” Mr Ramesh said.

Congress general secretary in-charge organisation K C Venugopal on X termed PM Modi’s speech a hackneyed rant against his party.

“On a debate about India’s Constitution, the PM once again decided to bring out his tired old speech about the Congress instead. While the people were expecting an answer from him on the injustice and inequality facing Indian society, he chose to bring up stale narratives against the Congress, which have lost all resonance among the public,” he said.

“An insincere PM whose political gurus rejected the Constitution since day one will never be accepted by the people as being loyal to the Constitution. No matter how many speeches he gives, his hypocrisy will be exposed,” Mr Venugopal said.

He also told reporters there was nothing new in what the PM said in the Parliament on Saturday. “It was only blame game against the Congress.”

“Whenever we talk of the Constitution they did not respect Parliament. When LoP spoke, the prime minister, home minister and defence minister were absent, either they are scared of Rahul Gandhi or they don’t believe in opposition politics,” he said.

Congress’ deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi said PM Modi should thank party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi for proposing the idea of a special discussion on the Indian Constitution.

“It was only for the foresightedness of the Congress party that there was a vibrant discussion. We disagree on many issues with the BJP but the people of this country need to see the Parliament debating issues of national concern,” he said.

Congress whip Manickam Tagore said the Leader of Opposition was present when the PM addressed the House, but PM Modi was absent when Gandhi spoke. “Why this behaviour, Mr Prime Minister?” he asked.

New Delhi:

Parliament Winter Session Live Updates: The Lok Sabha is set to begin a two-way debate to mark 75 years of the Constitution, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to reply to the debate on Saturday.

The BJP and Congress have issued a three-line whip for all its members to be present in the House on December 13 and 14. During the session, Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is scheduled to deliver her debut speech in the Lower House.

The Parliament’s Winter Session, which began on November 25, has seen continuing chaos and repeated adjournments amid ruckus over various issues, including Congress’ link with billionaire George Soros, and the unrest in Sambhal and Manipur.

Here are the Live Updates from December 13: