'One nation, one election' is a good concept, will reduce expenditure: Devendra Fadnavis

Devendra Fadnavis. File Pic

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Friday lauded the idea of 'one nation, one election' and said it was in the interest of the country, according to the PTI.

Devendra Fadnavis was speaking after the Centre entrusted former president Ram Nath Kovind with the responsibility of heading a committee to explore the feasibility of 'one nation, one election'.

Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Devendra Fadnavis said simultaneous polls is a good concept. It is in the interest of the country, he said.

Bullet train project takes a step ahead

1 year agoWEBSTORY

Generally, you will see that elections are taking place in some or other part (of the country) all 365 days. It results in an increase in expenditure, he said. Simultaneous polls will reduce expenses, Fadnavis said.

The Maharashtra deputy CM said that the reforms also get derailed due to multiple elections.

Ex-president Ram Nath Kovind will explore the feasibility and the mechanism to see as to how the country can go back to having simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly polls, as was the case till 1967.

Since coming to power in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been a strong votary of the idea of simultaneous polls, which include those at local bodies, citing the financial burden caused by the almost continuous election cycle and jolt to development work during the polling period, according to the PTI.

Ram Nath Kovind too had echoed PM Modi's view and expressed his support to the idea after becoming the President in 2017.

Meanwhile, hours after former president Ram Nath Kovind was on Friday tasked with the responsibility of heading a committee to explore the feasibility of 'one nation, one election', Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut called the move a conspiracy to postpone polls in the country, reported the PTI.

Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra assembly Vijay Wadettiwar said the unveiling of the logo of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I-N-D-I-A) won't happen during the ongoing meeting of the grouping.

Talking to reporters, Sanjay Raut said, We need fair elections which are not happening now. The 'one nation, one election' proposal is a conspiracy to postpone elections, as per the PTI.

Sanjay Raut said the BJP government did not respect Ram Nath Kovind when he was the president. Now they are making him busy with a committee to explore the possibility of 'one nation, one election', he said.

(with PTI inputs)