'If You Attempt Overnight Transition...': Prashant Kishor's Advice To Modi Govt On 'One Nation, One Election'

Prashant Kishor while addressing the media said that if 'One Nation, One Election' is brought with the right intentions then it will benefit India and save a lot of resources.

Political analyst Prashant Kishor on Monday said that if 'One Nation, One Election' is applied with the right intentions, it will be in the interest of the country. While addressing a gathering, Kishor said, "If this is done with the correct intentions and there is a transition phase of 4-5 years, then it is in the interest of the country. This was once in effect in the country for 17-18 years."

He added, "Secondly, in a country as large as India, around 25 per cent of the country votes every year. So, the people running the government remain busy in this circle of election. If this is limited to 1-2 times, it will be better. This will cut down expenses and people will have to make a decision only once."

He further said that if the government tries to attempt an overnight transition then there will be issues. "If you attempt an overnight transition, there will be issues. The government is perhaps bringing a Bill. Let it come. If the government has good intentions, then it should happen and it will be good for the country...But it depends on the intentions with which the government is bringing it," he was quoted as saying by ANI.

Earlier on September 1, the Centre constituted a committee to explore the possibility of 'One Nation, One Election' which aims to hold both General elections as well as the State Assembly elections simultaneously. The committee is headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind. 

The BJP welcomed the move calling it a necessity of the day. The saffron party said that the money spent on elections could be saved and rather be used for welfare schemes. The government has announced that a Special Session of the Parliament will be called from September 18-22.

While the Union government is yet to reveal its agenda for the Special parliamentary session, it is widely speculated that the government could bring a bill for this proposal to take effect.

Earlier in India, simultaneous elections for the state assemblies and the Lok Sabha were held simultaneously till 1967. However, in 1968 and 1969 some legislative assemblies were dissolved prematurely which was followed by the dissolution of the Lok Sabha in 1970. This forced a change in the electoral schedules for the states as well as the country.