One Nation, One Election: Sonia Gandhi Warns of Constitutional Crisis
Waqf Amendment Bill Sparks Controversy: Sonia Gandhi Calls It a ‘Brazen Assault’ on Constitution
New Delhi: Heated Debate Over Waqf Amendment Bill
The passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha has ignited a fresh political controversy, with Congress leader Sonia Gandhi strongly criticizing the move. She described it as a “brazen assault” on the Constitution, alleging that it aligns with the BJP’s broader strategy of keeping society in a state of “permanent polarisation.”
Congress Slams BJP Over ‘Bulldozed’ Bill
Just hours after the bill was passed, Sonia Gandhi voiced her concerns, accusing the government of rushing the legislation through the lower house without proper debate.
Speaking at a Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) meeting at Samvidhan Sadan, she said, “The Modi government is dragging the country into an abyss where our Constitution will remain on paper. Their intention is to demolish even that.”
One Nation, One Election: Another Constitutional Threat?
Sonia Gandhi also took aim at the proposed One Nation, One Election bill, labeling it as yet another attempt to subvert the Constitution. She vowed that Congress would oppose the initiative, emphasizing the importance of protecting democratic values.
“Whether it is education, civil rights and liberties, our federal structure, or the conduct of elections, the Modi government is systematically dismantling democratic institutions.”
Congress Calls for Resistance
In an impassioned speech, Gandhi urged Congress MPs to intensify their fight against the BJP’s policies. She highlighted concerns over growing government surveillance and the suppression of opposition voices in Parliament.
“We must continue to expose the Modi government’s failures and their attempts to turn India into a surveillance state,” she told Congress leaders, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.
Allegations of Credit-Stealing
Another key point in Gandhi’s speech was her claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been rebranding and marketing policies from the UPA era (2004-2014) as his own. She stressed the importance of countering these claims through extensive public outreach.
“The government is aggressively repackaging old initiatives as new. We must expose these falsehoods,” she added.
BJP vs Congress: A Parliamentary Showdown
Sonia Gandhi accused BJP members of disrupting Parliament sessions and silencing the opposition. She urged Congress MPs to push back aggressively by highlighting failures in BJP-ruled states.
“The BJP spreads misinformation about Congress-governed states. We need to counter this with solid research and facts,” she emphasized.
Midnight Approval: Bill Passed After Lengthy Debate
The Lok Sabha approved the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in a dramatic late-night session following a 12-hour debate. Despite strong opposition, all proposed amendments were rejected. The final vote count stood at 288 in favor and 232 against.
The bill is now set to be debated in the Rajya Sabha, where the opposition is expected to continue its resistance.
What’s Next?
As the bill moves to the upper house, political tensions are set to rise. The opposition has vowed to fight back, raising questions about the government’s legislative approach.
