Most parties support idea of simultaneous polls, PM to set up panel for it: Rajnath Singh

After the conclusion of the meeting called in by the PM which lasted for over three-and-a-half hours, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the idea of 'One Nation, One Election' was supported by almost all the party leaders.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh briefs media after conclusion of all party meet on 'One Nation, One Election'/Image courtesy:

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that a panel will be set-up to give suggestions on issues related to 'one nation, one election' proposal, at the meeting of the presidents of all parties, convened today to discuss the issue. After the conclusion of the meeting called in by the PM which lasted for over three-and-a-half hours, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the idea of 'One Nation, One Election' was supported by almost all the party leaders. He said that CPI (M) and CPI had a different opinion about the implementation of the idea. “Most parties gave their support to One Nation, One Election, CPI(M) & CPI had a difference of opinion but they didn't oppose the idea, just the implementation of it,” Singh said. “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,” he said. Singh said that five major agendas were discussed in the meeting, including the "one nation, one election" agenda. PM Modi on Wednesday met leaders of various political parties having representation in Parliament to explore possibilities of holding Lok Sabha and assembly elections together amid no show by various opposition parties. Modi had invited the heads of all political parties which have at least one member either in the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha for the meeting to discuss several issues, including the "one nation, one election" idea, celebration of 75 years of Independence in 2022 and the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi this year. NCP leader Sharad Pawar, CPI-M's Sitaram Yechury, CPI's D Raja, Bihar Chief Minister and JD (U) leader Nitish Kumar, SAD leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, Odisha Chief Minister and BJD leader Naveen Patnaik and National People's Party leader Conard Sangma were among those who attended the meeting at the Parliament House library building. PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti and National Conference patriarch Farooq Abdullah also attended the meet. Among the notable absentees were Congress president Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC leader Mamata Banerjee, BSP supremo Mayawati, SP president Akhilesh Yadav, DMK's M K Stalin, TDP chief K Chandrashekhar Rao, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Admi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal.