Union Minister Anurag Thakur Supports Simultaneous Elections for Efficiency, Cost Savings

TEN NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi, Sep 04, 2023: Union Minister Anurag Thakur expressed support for the Centre’s proposal to conduct simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, municipal bodies, and panchayats, under the “one nation, one election” initiative.

Thakur argued that conducting elections consumes a significant amount of time each year, which could be better utilized for the nation’s development. He highlighted that thousands of crores of rupees are spent annually by contesting parties, and this expenditure could be reduced substantially if all elections were synchronized.

“In elections, a lot of time is consumed every year. If that time is invested mindfully in the development of the nation, then the country will get the benefit. The government and the candidates spend thousands of crores on conducting elections. If it happens at the same time, then a lot of money could be saved. All in all, it is for the benefit of the nation. If the opposition has a better solution, they can give it,” Thakur stated.

The Centre recently established an eight-member committee, chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind, to examine the feasibility and mechanism of holding Lok Sabha and state assembly elections simultaneously. These elections were previously held together until 1967. However, the proposal has sparked controversy and a political debate between the Opposition and the government.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the move, describing it as an attack on the Indian union and all its states. The committee includes prominent figures like Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress Lok Sabha leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, and former Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission NK Singh, among others.

The concept of “one nation, one election” aims to streamline the electoral process, potentially saving time and resources for the nation while ensuring that elections are conducted efficiently.