One Nation One Election: Frequent Polls Hinder Governance, Says PP Chaudhary
BJP MP PP Chaudhary explains how One Nation One Election can reduce governance disruptions and boost the economy.
Senior BJP MP and Chairperson of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), PP Chaudhary, has strongly advocated for the implementation of One Nation One Election, asserting that the current cycle of frequent polls is counter-productive and detrimental to the country's progress. Speaking to ANI, Chaudhary emphasized that synchronizing parliamentary and assembly elections would minimize disruptions in governance and prevent recurring economic setbacks.
Reducing Governance Disruptions
According to Chaudhary, the practice of holding three to seven assembly elections every year is unproductive. He argued that such frequent electoral cycles create a constant state of campaigning, which inevitably impacts the uninterrupted implementation of essential social welfare and social justice schemes.
"Frequent elections cause disruptions in governance, affect the economy and impact social justice schemes," Chaudhary stated, adding that the general public would likely prefer simultaneous elections over the current fragmented system.
A Return to India's Electoral Roots
To support the proposal, the JPC Chairman highlighted that simultaneous elections are not a new concept for India. He noted that from 1952 to 1967, the first four general elections were held alongside state assembly polls. This streak was interrupted when then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi recommended the dissolution of Parliament following a split within the Congress party.
He further mentioned that in 1971, general elections were conducted ahead of schedule, coinciding with assembly elections in West Bengal, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu, before the electoral cycles eventually diverged completely.
The Roadmap to Implementation
Chaudhary explained that the vision for One Nation One Election is driven by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. To make this a reality, a high-level eight-member committee was formed under the leadership of former President Ram Nath Kovind. This committee recommended a synchronized schedule where:
- Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assembly elections are held simultaneously.
- Panchayat and local body elections follow within a window of 100 days.
Following these recommendations, the government introduced a Bill in Parliament, leading to the formation of a 41-member Joint Parliamentary Committee to scrutinize the proposal.
Addressing Federalism and Economic Concerns
Addressing critics who argue that simultaneous polls might undermine federalism, Chaudhary revealed that experts have dismissed these concerns. He suggested that regional parties could actually benefit from a synchronized system.
To ensure a comprehensive analysis, the JPC has been engaging with a wide array of specialists, including eminent political scientists, economists, and senior members of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council (EAC-PM). These consultations aim to decode the structural, political, and economic dimensions of shifting to a single electoral cycle for the entire nation.