NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has declined to meet the parliamentary committee, which is examining a Constitution amendment bill proposing simultaneous elections, saying it will not be desirable for senior judges to discuss the matter as the proposed amendment might become a subject matter of judicial review.A communication from the secretary general of the Supreme Court to the committee said the proposal for an informal discussion by the joint committee to examine Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the UT Laws (Amendments Bill, 2024) on the subject of simultaneous elections with Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and other judges on Oct 6 was discussed among the senior judges.

May become matter of judicial review: SC wrote to ONOE panel

A communication from the secretary general of SC said, “They are of the opinion that as the proposed amendment might become a subject matter of judicial review before SC, it may not be expedient or desirable to discuss the issue on the administrative side.

The proposed meeting is accordingly cancelled.”As SC declined, the committee, which is headed by BJP MP P P Chaudhary, wrote to its members that the scheduled meeting has been cancelled.Opposition MP Kapil Sibal had criticised the proposed meeting, suggesting that it was a violation of the doctrine of separation of powers.The bill, which proposes simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly polls, was introduced in the Lok Sabha in Dec 2024 and was sent to the committee. Opposition parties are critical of the bill, alleging that it is unconstitutional and violates federal rights.BJP and its allies have, however, backed the idea, saying a continuous cycle of elections hampers development, and simultaneous elections will also boost economic growth.