Gurugram, The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is vigorously renewing its national campaign for “One Nation, One Election,” with Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini emerging as a prominent voice advocating for the ambitious electoral reform. Speaking at a “Gurugram Run” event themed around “One Nation, One Election,” CM Saini passionately articulated the party’s conviction that simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and all state assemblies are not merely a political idea, but a vital necessity for accelerating India’s developmental trajectory and realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) by 2047.
CM Saini’s recent pronouncements align perfectly with the BJP’s long-standing national agenda, which posits that the continuous cycle of elections in India, with various state and local polls occurring almost every year, significantly impedes governance and diverts crucial resources. “One Nation, One Election is not just a slogan, but a reflection of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for national unity,” Saini stated, emphasizing that the initiative is designed to “optimize time, resources, and public participation.” He underscored that when a nation moves forward together, it is better equipped to overcome challenges and find collective solutions. This sentiment was echoed by other Haryana ministers present at the event, including Rao Narbir Singh (Industry and Commerce) and Gaurav Gautam (Sports), further demonstrating a unified front within the state’s BJP leadership.
The Rationale: Development Over Disruption
The core argument put forth by the BJP and its leaders like CM Saini is that frequent elections lead to several detrimental consequences. Firstly, they result in enormous financial expenditure. Conducting separate elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and various local bodies (municipalities and panchayats) at different times incurs colossal costs, both for the Election Commission and for political parties and candidates. Former President Ram Nath Kovind, who chaired a high-level committee on simultaneous elections, had previously cited Election Commission data estimating that holding elections every three years could cost the country approximately ₹5-7 lakh crore. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also projected that simultaneous polls could boost India’s GDP by 1.5% and save ₹12,000 crore, money that could be re-invested into welfare programs and developmental projects.
Secondly, frequent elections impose a significant administrative burden. A substantial number of government personnel, including teachers, police, and civil servants, are diverted from their primary duties for prolonged periods to serve election duties. This often leads to schools being closed, essential services being disrupted, and routine administrative work being put on hold. CM Saini, referencing this, highlighted that “more efficient use of administrative resources” would be a key benefit.
Thirdly, and perhaps most critically from the BJP’s perspective, is the issue of “policy paralysis.” The imposition of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during election periods prohibits governments from announcing new policies, launching major projects, or taking significant administrative decisions. With elections happening almost perpetually in some part of the country, this results in extended periods where governance is effectively stalled, hindering long-term planning and policy implementation. CM Saini articulated this by stating that frequent elections “hinder the pace of development” and that simultaneous polls would ensure “uninterrupted development.”
A National Consensus-Building Exercise
The BJP’s push for “One Nation, One Election” is not new. The concept of simultaneous elections was, in fact, the norm in India for the first four general elections from 1951 to 1967. This cycle was disrupted thereafter due to premature dissolutions of state assemblies and, subsequently, the Lok Sabha. The idea was mooted again by the Election Commission in 1983, and later by the Law Commission (in 1999 and 2018) and NITI Aayog (in 2017).
The Modi government has revitalized this debate, forming a high-level committee under former President Ram Nath Kovind in September 2023 to thoroughly examine the feasibility of the proposal. The committee submitted its comprehensive report in September 2024, endorsing the move and providing a roadmap for its implementation, including proposed constitutional amendments to Articles 82A and 324A to enable simultaneous elections across all three tiers of governance (Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies). The Union Cabinet accepted these recommendations, and a bill was subsequently introduced in the Lok Sabha in December 2024, which has since been referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee for further examination.
The BJP is now actively engaging in a public awareness campaign to build a broader consensus. Delhi BJP, for instance, has announced a city-wide drive to “take this message to every household” and explain how society and the nation can benefit from ONOE. State President Virendra Sachdeva emphasized that “repeated elections consume the nation’s time, money, and manpower. This cycle must be broken if we want to build a developed India.” Similar digital and awareness campaigns are being rolled out in other BJP-ruled states like Rajasthan, where the state unit has linked the initiative with the Chief Minister’s vision of ‘One State, One Election’ for local body polls.
Challenges and the Path Forward
Despite the BJP’s strong advocacy and the potential benefits highlighted, the “One Nation, One Election” concept faces significant challenges and opposition. Critics argue that it could undermine India’s federal structure, disproportionately benefit national parties over regional ones by diluting local issues, and potentially compromise voter turnout if voters are overwhelmed by a single, large ballot. Concerns also exist regarding the logistical complexities of synchronizing terms, particularly in scenarios of no-confidence motions or premature dissolutions of assemblies.
However, the BJP remains resolute. By consistently articulating the developmental benefits and emphasizing the long-term vision for a “Viksit Bharat,” leaders like CM Nayab Singh Saini are contributing to the party’s strategic endeavor to garner public support and overcome political resistance to this far-reaching electoral reform. The “Gurugram Run” is symbolic of the BJP’s intent to turn this concept into a people’s movement, fostering unity and aligning the electoral calendar with the nation’s developmental aspirations.
#OneNationOneElection #ONOE #BJP #NayabSinghSaini #ViksitBharat #ElectoralReform #SimultaneousElections #DevelopmentFirst #HaryanaPolitics #PMModiVision #NationalAgenda This is web generated news we report
