Morning Brief: First 'One Nation, One Election' Poll Likely In 2034; Russia To Supply Crude Oil To Reliance In $13 Billion Deal; Constitution Debate To Begin Amid BJP-Congress Standoff

Dear reader, catch up on the day’s must-read stories with Swarajya's roundup of the morning's headlines.

First 'One Nation, One Election' Poll Likely In 2034

If the Bills approved by the Cabinet on Thursday are passed in Parliament without changes, the first simultaneous Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections could take place in the country in 2034, according to a report in The Indian Express.

The high-level committee chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind has proposed adding Article 82A(1) to the Constitution, which mandates that the President notify the “appointed date” during the first sitting of the Lok Sabha after a general election. Another proposed provision, Article 82A(2), allows for the curtailment of State Assembly terms elected after the “appointed date” to align them with the Lok Sabha's full term.

Sources explained that since the first sitting of the Lok Sabha elected in 2024 has already occurred, the “appointed date” would only be declared after the 2029 general elections, setting the stage for synchronized elections in 2034. This extended timeline is also expected to benefit the Election Commission, which will bear the responsibility for implementing the complex plan nationwide. Aligning election schedules across the country would require large-scale logistical preparation.

Russia To Supply Crude Oil To Reliance In Deal Worth $13 Billion

Russia’s state-owned oil company Rosneft has struck a historic 10-year deal to supply up to 500,000 barrels per day of crude oil to India’s Reliance Industries, marking the largest energy agreement between the two nations. Valued at around $13 billion annually, this contract represents 0.5 per cent of global oil supply and aims to ensure stability in crude oil flows. The deal aligns with Rosneft’s strategy to increase its footprint in the India.

Indian government officials, while not confirming the specifics of the contract, noted that such agreements are crucial for maintaining stable energy supplies. This partnership is seen as particularly important as Russia faces potential sanctions from the United States, which could impact its global oil business.

Constitution Debate To Begin Amid BJP-Congress Standoff

The Lok Sabha will convene today for a two-day debate marking 75 years since the adoption of the Indian Constitution, with the Rajya Sabha scheduled to hold a similar discussion early next week. Although the debate is set to focus on the Constitution’s significance and evolution since November 26, 1949, proceedings are overshadowed by ongoing clashes between the ruling NDA and the Opposition, particularly the Congress, which have disrupted Parliament for weeks.

The political standoff, driven by allegations linking Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Adani controversy and counter-claims involving Sonia Gandhi and George Soros, has led to repeated adjournments. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will kick off the government’s arguments, while Prime Minister Modi is expected to conclude with a response to the Opposition’s attacks on Saturday. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is likely to spearhead his party’s offensive, keeping the focus on the Adani issue, even as Congress' Opposition allies like the Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party criticise it.

Other Developments

Retail Inflation Eases to 5.48 Per Cent In November

Retail inflation in India eased to 5.48 per cent in November, down from 6.2 per cent in October, mainly due to a decline in food and beverage prices, as per government data. This drop has sparked optimism among experts about the possibility of a policy rate cut in February. Additionally, industrial growth improved to 3.5 per cent in October, up from 3.1 per cent in September, driven by stronger performance in the manufacturing sector.

Although vegetable prices, particularly potatoes and cauliflowers, remained high, the overall moderation in food prices helped reduce inflation. Experts anticipate that food prices may continue to fall further in the coming months. According to Aditi Nayar, Chief Economist at ICRA, rabi crop sowing has surpassed last year’s levels by 1.5 per cent, led by pulses, rice, wheat, and coarse cereals, while oilseed sowing has decreased.

Bengaluru Police To Trace Wife, Her Family In Techie Suicide Case

The Bengaluru Police are seeking assistance from the Uttar Pradesh Police to trace suspects in the case of a 34-year-old man’s suicide, allegedly due to harassment by his wife. The man, identified as Atul Subhash, was found dead in his apartment in Bengaluru earlier this week. His brother, Bikas Kumar, filed a complaint against Atul’s estranged wife Nikita Singhania, her mother Nisha, brother Anurag, and uncle Sushil, accusing them of abetment to suicide and demanding Rs 3 crore to withdraw cases and Rs 30 lakh for visiting rights to Atul’s son.

On Wednesday, a police team from Bengaluru was sent to Uttar Pradesh to track the accused. However, reports suggest that Nisha and Anurag fled their home in Jaunpur late Wednesday night, with social media videos showing them leaving around midnight.

Musk Labels Canadian PM Trudeau An “Insufferable Tool”

Billionaire Elon Musk has once again criticised Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, calling him “such an insufferable tool” following Trudeau’s remarks about the recent US presidential election. Speaking at an event in Ottawa organised by Equal Voice, Trudeau expressed disappointment over setbacks in the fight for women’s rights, highlighting the defeat of Kamala Harris and labelling it a “setback” for gender equality.

Trudeau, who described himself as a “proud feminist,” also stated that women’s rights were under attack worldwide. His comments came after US President-elect Donald Trump dismissed him as the “governor” of a neighbouring US state, rather than recognising him as Canada’s Prime Minister. Musk, a close ally of Trump, responded sharply on X, formerly Twitter, suggesting that Trudeau wouldn’t remain in power for much longer.

Chinese Smartphone Companies Ramping Up Operations In India

As India-China relations improve, Chinese smartphone companies are gradually ramping up their operations in India, with a focus on brand promotion and expanding manufacturing. Companies like OnePlus, Xiaomi, Vivo, and Oppo are once again investing in marketing campaigns, hiring Indian brand ambassadors, and putting up hoardings.

Despite the thaw, these firms are proceeding cautiously due to the scrutiny they faced in India since 2020, including allegations of money laundering and tax evasion. There have also been curbs on new investments, asset seizures, and even the arrest of top executives. While the situation seems to be easing, the companies are adopting a measured approach to avoid further regulatory challenges.

From The States

Congress Fields Sheila Dikshit's Son Against Kejriwal

The Congress has fielded Sandeep Dikshit, former MP from East Delhi and son of former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit, to contest against AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal in the upcoming Delhi Assembly polls. This move follows Kejriwal's statement on Wednesday, ruling out any possibility of a pre-poll alliance with Congress for the 2025 elections. Speculation about a potential AAP-Congress alliance had gained traction after Kejriwal attended an INDIA bloc meeting on Tuesday, where discussions focused on alleged tampering of EVMs and VVPAT machines in the Maharashtra Assembly elections.

Earlier, AAP and Congress had contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in an alliance across Delhi and other regions. In Delhi, AAP fielded candidates in four seats, while Congress contested three, but the alliance failed to secure any of the seven seats.

BJP Tries To Placate Shinde Over Cabinet Expansion

With the Cabinet expansion of the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra expected on December 14, the BJP sent its state party chief, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, to meet Shiv Sena leader and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who was reportedly upset with the alliance partners over portfolio allocation. This move followed Shinde’s decision to skip a planned visit to New Delhi, where Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar had gone to formalise the power-sharing formula.

Bawankule met Shinde at his official residence, Varsha, with a message from Fadnavis regarding the cabinet expansion. During the meeting, Bawankule conveyed that despite the BJP being the single largest party, it was offering adequate representation and important portfolios to its alliance partners, Shiv Sena and NCP.

Stay tuned for more insights throughout the day.