Srinagar: Former Union Minister and BJP leader Anurag Thakur on Tuesday strongly advocated for the implementation of One Nation, One Election (ONOE), citing its benefits in reducing election-related expenses and streamlining governance.
He also reiterated the BJP’s commitment to restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, while dismissing concerns over rising militancy in the Jammu region.
Thakur pointed out that five months before the last Lok Sabha election, assembly polls were held in four states—Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Telangana. Soon after the general elections, states like Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir also went to polls, he said.
“The frequent polls affects governance and costs the country immensely,” the former Union Minister told reporters in Srinagar on the sidelines of a function which was held by BJP to create awareness on ‘One Nation-One Election’.
BJP has started another mass contact programme for making citizens aware of the ‘advantages’ of the ONOE concept across the states.
Thakur argued that simultaneous elections would not only reduce the financial burden—estimated at over Rs 1.5 lakh crore —but also increase voter turnout and allow government officials to focus on their primary responsibilities.
He claimed the ONOE policy could potentially boost India’s GDP by 1.5% and improve administrative efficiency.
“If implemented by 2029, all elections could be held together. In case a government falls mid-term, fresh elections would only be held for the remainder of the term, maintaining synchronization,” the BJP leader explained.
The Minister also dismissed opposition concerns, asserting that ONOE doesn’t infringe on democratic rights but aims to streamline governance.
“The idea is not new,” he added, citing that India conducted joint polls until 1967, and the concept has been backed by previous Law Commission and parliamentary reports.
The former Union Minister mentioned that a high-level committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind has consulted stakeholders including former judges, election commissioners, and political parties to prepare a report on the feasibility of the move.
Responding to a question on Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, Thakur reaffirmed, “We have promised statehood and it will remain.”
He brushed aside criticisms that the BJP had failed to control militancy in the Jammu region.
“…Compared to earlier, Kashmir is witnessing peace. Security forces have taken strong action against terrorist elements in Jammu. There is zero tolerance for terrorism,” Anurag asserted.
Thakur also dismissed allegations that the BJP is creating pressure on political opponents or minorities, claiming instead that the party has worked for all sections of society.
He accused the Congress of spreading misinformation and defaming India internationally.
UNI
