The two bills that lay down the mechanism to hold simultaneous elections were introduced in the Lok Sabha after a fiery debate on Tuesday, with the opposition terming the move “dictatorial” and Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal asserting that the legislation would not tamper with the powers enjoyed by states. The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Meghwal after a nearly 90-minute debate, followed by a division of votes. As many as 269 members voted in favour of the bill and 198 against it.

Principles such as judicial review, federal character of the Constitution, separation of powers, secular character, supremacy of the Constitution had not changed, Meghwal said, adding that the objections to the bill were political in nature. Meghwal said he would move a resolution referring the bills to a joint committee of the Parliament.