Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Chidambaram Says 2029 Simultaneous Elections Are Not Possible
P. Chidambaram disagrees with a reported statement by the Joint Parliamentary Committee chairman.
The chairman reportedly said that elections held at the same time could happen in 2029.
Chidambaram says that is not possible under the bill’s wording.
He points to a part of the bill called the “appointed date.”
He says that date can only come after a general election.
This means the timing described by the committee chairman may not fit the bill.
Chidambaram also says the bill is unlikely to pass.
The disagreement is about both the bill’s language and whether the 2029 plan can happen.
P. Chidambaram rejected the reported claim that simultaneous elections could take place in 2029.
He said the Joint Parliamentary Committee chairman’s view was incorrect.
Chidambaram argued that the claim conflicts with the text of the proposed bill.
He said the bill’s “appointed date” could only be set after a general election.
Chidambaram added that passage of the bill itself was very unlikely.
- Who
- P. Chidambaram and the chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee.
- What
- A dispute over whether simultaneous elections can take place in 2029 under the proposed bill.
- When
- 2029 is the year discussed; no date for the statements is provided.
- Why
- Chidambaram says the bill allows its “appointed date” only after a general election and therefore does not support the reported 2029 timeline.
Chidambaram’s View
Joint Parliamentary Committee Chairman’s Reported View
Whether elections can happen in 2029
Chidambaram’s View
Chidambaram says simultaneous elections in 2029 are not possible under the bill’s text.
Joint Parliamentary Committee Chairman’s Reported View
The chairman reportedly said that simultaneous elections are possible in 2029.
Interpretation of the bill
Chidambaram’s View
Chidambaram says the reported claim goes against the bill’s provision on the “appointed date.”
Joint Parliamentary Committee Chairman’s Reported View
The reported statement reflects an interpretation that the bill permits the 2029 timeline.
- Issue
- Simultaneous elections, described as “One Nation, One Election”
- Year discussed
- 2029
- Critic
- P. Chidambaram
- Disputed claim
- The Joint Parliamentary Committee chairman reportedly said simultaneous elections are possible in 2029.
- Bill provision cited
- The “appointed date” can only be a date after a general election, according to Chidambaram.
- Chidambaram’s assessment
- He said the chairman’s view was wrong and that passage of the bill was very unlikely.