One Nation One Election: Modi Government to Form Committee on Holding Simultaneous Polls to Lok Sabha And State Assemblies
At the meeting, PM Narendra Modi said a committee would be formed to give its suggestions on the proposal.
New Delhi, June 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday held a meeting with representatives of different political parties and discussed his 'one nation, one election' proposal. As many as eight opposition parties, including Congress, skipped the meeting on simultaneous Assembly and Lok Sabha polls in the country. At the meeting, PM Narendra Modi said a committee would be formed to give its suggestions on the proposal.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address, said that a committee will be constituted to give its suggestions on the subject (one nation, one election) in a time-bound manner," said Defence Minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, Rajnath Singh after the meeting. He claimed that representatives of most of the political parties who attended the meeting backed the idea of 'one nation, one election'. Narendra Modi Outlines His Vision at NITI Aayog Meet, Says ’Goal to Make India $5 Trillion Economy by 2024 Challenging, But Achievable’.
"Most parties gave their support to 'one nation, one election'. CPI(M) and CPI had a difference of opinion but they didn't oppose the idea, just the implementation of it," Singh said. Notably, CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury in a note submitted to the parliament opposed the simultaneous elections to the parliament and state assemblies calling it "anti-federal, anti-democratic and strikes at the root of the parliamentary democratic system". Simultaneous Lok Sabha, Assembly Polls Not Possible Due to Lack of VVPAT Machines: Ex-CEC.
PM Narendra Modi's tweet about meeting on 'One Nation, One Election' proposal:
"On the issue of One Country, One Election, several Party Presidents supported the proposal for simultaneous conduct of elections. Several parties were also of the view that all aspects of this proposal need to be examined carefully. PM Modi noted that this is not a single party’s agenda, but it is an issue of national importance and the views of all parties would be considered and given due importance," said the government.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's Biju Janata Dal, however, openly supported the idea. "The BJD has been always supportive of whatever is being done in the interest of country and its people, and we would continue to do so in future as well," said Patnaik in a statement, adding that his party supports the proposal of 'one nation, one election'.
Besides the BJP, those attended the meeting included Akali Dal's Sukhbir Singh Badal, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Janata Dal-United leader Nitish Kumar, BJD President Naveen Patnaik, YSR Congress Party chief Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, CPI's D Raja and S Sudhakar Reddy, CPI-M's Sitaram Yechuri, TRS President KT Rama Rao, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah and Peoples Democratic Party leader Mehbooba Mufti.
While TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao sent his son KT Rama Rao, he maintained that PM Mod is running a fascist government. "What is there to discuss? We will only maintain constitutional relations with the Centre. I still back my Federal Front. No use talking to Centre. We didn't even get one rupee for the state. I have already stated that Modi runs a fascist govt. It is a fact on record," the Telangana Chief Minister was quoted by ANI as saying.
The Prime Minister called the meeting to discuss his initiative of holding simultaneous elections across the country and the Niti Aayog's proposal to fast-track the socio-economic conditions of 117 districts across 28 states.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 19, 2019 08:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).