One Nation One Election: NDA Weighs Simultaneous Polls for 22 States, UTs With 2029 Lok Sabha

One Nation, One Election: NDA May Align Polls in 22 States With 2029 Lok Sabha Elections

The NDA is exploring a plan to bring Assembly elections in 22 states and Union Territories in line with the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, potentially moving the first phase of simultaneous polls forward from the 2034 timeline currently envisaged in the One Nation, One Election Bills.

The proposal is being discussed even as the Joint Committee of Parliament examining the legislation continues consultations with Chief Ministers, state governments and other stakeholders.

According to people familiar with the discussions, the NDA could consider dissolving Assemblies in its ruled states before the completion of their terms to enable elections to be held alongside the 2029 general election.

Of the 22 NDA-ruled states and UTs under consideration, 11 are scheduled to hold Assembly elections in the next two years. Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Odisha already hold Assembly elections alongside Lok Sabha polls.

What The Proposal Could Mean

If the NDA retains its governments in the states concerned, their Assemblies could potentially be dissolved by January 2029 on the advice of the respective state governments.

Under Article 174(2)(b) of the Constitution, a Governor has the power to dissolve a state Assembly. Once an Assembly is dissolved, elections are required to be conducted within the stipulated legal framework, including the provisions of the Representation of the People Act.

The plan would require several state governments to agree to significantly shortening their current terms.

Assemblies in Goa, Gujarat, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand could see their terms reduced by around three years if elections are brought forward to coincide with the 2029 Lok Sabha polls. Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Rajasthan and Tripura could face an even larger reduction, of roughly four years.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has already indicated that her government could consider adjusting its tenure if required for the national simultaneous-election framework.

What The Current Bills Propose

The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 currently under consideration by the parliamentary committee are designed around a longer transition.

Under the proposed framework, Assemblies elected after the first sitting of the Lok Sabha following a general election could have shortened terms so that their elections eventually align with the national cycle.

If the Bills are enacted in their current form, the first full cycle of simultaneous elections would be expected in 2034.

However, bringing NDA-ruled states into alignment with the 2029 Lok Sabha election would require political decisions beyond the committee’s formal mandate.

Committee chairman P P Chaudhary said the question of holding simultaneous elections earlier would be for NDA Chief Ministers to decide.

Opposition Raises Constitutional Concerns

Any move to advance the timeline is likely to intensify the political debate over One Nation, One Election.

The Opposition has consistently criticised the proposal, arguing that shortening the tenure of elected Assemblies would undermine democratic accountability.

Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh reiterated the party’s opposition, describing the proposal as unconstitutional and anti-democratic. He said the party’s position had not changed and noted that the parliamentary committee is still examining the Bills.

Congress and DMK MPs had opposed the introduction of the legislation in Parliament in 2024. Several Opposition leaders have also objected to the proposal during the committee’s state-level consultations.

The Road Ahead

The Joint Committee, constituted in December 2024, is expected to submit its report during the Winter Session this year. It has already consulted elected representatives and other stakeholders in states including Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Delhi, Goa and Uttar Pradesh.

If the NDA ultimately pursues the 2029 option, it would represent a major acceleration of the One Nation, One Election roadmap and could trigger a fresh political and constitutional confrontation with the Opposition.