NEW DELHI: The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government is determined to continue its agenda from 2014, despite its reduced numbers in the 2024 Parliamentary elections, according to top sources. The government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has delivered on key promises such as constructing the Ram temple in Ayodhya, abolishing Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, and implementing the Citizenship Amendment Act.
One of the notable promises in the BJP’s election manifesto is the idea of One Nation-One Election, which aims to hold state assembly polls alongside parliamentary elections. Sources reveal that the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government remains committed to this agenda and hopes to gather support from other political parties.
The proposal for simultaneous elections has faced opposition from several opposition parties and state leaders. However, Prime Minister Modi has argued that the reform would save resources, reduce administrative pressure, and save public money.
The high-level committee on One Nation-One Election, chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind, has also reported that frequent elections create uncertainty and affect policy decisions. The committee believes that simultaneous elections would enhance policy certainty, make voting more convenient, avoid voter fatigue, and increase voter turnout.
During his Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Modi reiterated his support for the initiative. He said, “Continuous elections in the country are causing headraces in development. Welfare schemes in the country are now linked to the elections. Every three to six months we have elections, every work in the country is now linked to elections. A wide range of discussions have already happened. Every political party has already expressed their views. A committee has already submitted the report on this. The nation must come forward for One Nation-One Election. I request all political parties from the Red Fort to come forward for One Nation-One Election.”
Meanwhile, sources indicate that work is underway to conduct the long-delayed national Census. However, no decision has been made on including a caste index or column. Opposition parties like the Congress, RJD, and SP, along with NDA ally Lok Janashakthi Party chief Chirag Paswan, have been demanding a caste census.
The last Census was conducted in 2011 and it has been delayed since 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Census provides essential socio-economic and demographic data for policy making and governance.
One of the notable promises in the BJP’s election manifesto is the idea of One Nation-One Election, which aims to hold state assembly polls alongside parliamentary elections. Sources reveal that the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government remains committed to this agenda and hopes to gather support from other political parties.
The proposal for simultaneous elections has faced opposition from several opposition parties and state leaders. However, Prime Minister Modi has argued that the reform would save resources, reduce administrative pressure, and save public money.
The high-level committee on One Nation-One Election, chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind, has also reported that frequent elections create uncertainty and affect policy decisions. The committee believes that simultaneous elections would enhance policy certainty, make voting more convenient, avoid voter fatigue, and increase voter turnout.
During his Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Modi reiterated his support for the initiative. He said, “Continuous elections in the country are causing headraces in development. Welfare schemes in the country are now linked to the elections. Every three to six months we have elections, every work in the country is now linked to elections. A wide range of discussions have already happened. Every political party has already expressed their views. A committee has already submitted the report on this. The nation must come forward for One Nation-One Election. I request all political parties from the Red Fort to come forward for One Nation-One Election.”
Meanwhile, sources indicate that work is underway to conduct the long-delayed national Census. However, no decision has been made on including a caste index or column. Opposition parties like the Congress, RJD, and SP, along with NDA ally Lok Janashakthi Party chief Chirag Paswan, have been demanding a caste census.
The last Census was conducted in 2011 and it has been delayed since 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Census provides essential socio-economic and demographic data for policy making and governance.