NEW DELHI, Dec 17: Ahead of the introduction of the controversial 'One Nation One Poll' in Parliament, leaders of the ruling BJP and the Opposition have put forward arguments for and against simultaneous polls for the states and the Centre. The introduction of the legislation, expected during the ongoing session, is likely to see stormy exchanges in Parliament, with both the BJP and the Opposition sticking to their guns.
While the ruling BJP says simultaneous polls would streamline governance and reduce election expenses, Opposition parties argue that it would destroy the federal structure and endanger democracy.
According to reports, the cabinet has approved two Bills for introduction in Parliament and one of them relates to simultaneous polls. The cabinet's approval, it is learnt, is restricted to holding simultaneous polls for Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Simultaneous elections for municipalities and panchayats have been excluded "for now", according to reports.
Congress Has No Reasonable Argument: Minister
Before the legislation was introduced today, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said the main Opposition Congress does not have any "reasonable argument" against 'One Nation, One Poll'. "They are saying it is unconstitutional and will harm the federal structure. For two decades after Independence, elections took place simultaneously. The Congress must explain, were Jawaharlal Nehru's government and the ones after it unconstitutional? The Congress ruled the country for six decades and made it poor.
Under (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi's ji's leadership, the country is on the way to becoming developed and they (Congress) still want to disturb it," Mr Rijiju said.
The country's mood, he said, was 'One Nation, One Poll'. The Congress must support and work with us," he said, adding that the issue would be discussed in detail in Parliament.
Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, MP from BJP ally Telugu Desam Party, said they would support the legislation. "We have seen in Andhra Pradesh. Simultaneous elections have been happening from 2004 onwards. When simultaneous elections, there is clarity of process and governance. We have experienced in Andhra, we want that across the country," he said. —NDTV
