Rae Bareli, 21 Nov: Former President Ram Nath Kovind, who heads the commission investigating the feasibility of “one nation, one election,” has stated that holding simultaneous polls is in the national interest.
He claimed the move has nothing to do with any political party. “Holding simultaneous elections will benefit the public because the revenue saved will be used for development work,” the former president told reporters on Monday night during a private visit here. “I am requesting cooperation from all political parties because it is in the national interest. It has nothing to do with any political party,” he insisted. Earlier this year, the government formed a high-level eight-member committee led by Kovind.
The former president went on to say, “Many committees such as the parliamentary committee, Niti Aayog, Election Commission of India, and others have said that the tradition of ‘one nation one election’ needs to be revived in the country.” “The government has formed a committee for this purpose, and I am its chairman. We are working with the people and will make recommendations to the government on how to reintroduce this tradition,” he added.
“I also contacted all registered national parties and solicited their recommendations. They all agreed on something at some point. We request cooperation from all political parties because it is in the national interest,” he stated.
Asserting that “one nation, one election” will help no particular political party, Kovind stated, “If implemented, the party in power at the Centre will benefit, whether it is the BJP or the Congress or any other party. There is no prejudice.” The common people would benefit the most since the revenue saved will be used for development projects, according to Kovind.
At the committee’s first meeting in September, the panel outlined the committee’s modalities and decided to invite recognized national parties, parties with government in states, parties with representatives in Parliament, and other recognized state parties to provide suggestions/points of view on the issue of simultaneous elections in the country.
It further stated that the Committee will call the Law Commission of India to provide suggestions/points of view on the matter. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has long advocated for simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly elections, and the move to appoint Kovind to investigating it demonstrates the government’s seriousness as a slew of elections near.
