One Nation, One Election: BJP's Rajyavardhan Rathore lauds Centre's move, says 'Oppn scared of it'

Sep 01, 2023

Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], September 1 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore spoke to ANI on Friday about the Centre's decision to introduce "One election, one nation," for which the government constituted a committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind. Launching a sharp attack against the Opposition parties, Rathore said the Opposition parties are scared of this and that is why they are opposing it. 
Speaking to ANI, Rathore said that till 1967, Assembly and Lok Sabha elections were held simultaneously in the country, but Congress dissolved the assemblies for its own selfishness.
"Till 1967, Assembly and Lok Sabha elections were held simultaneously in the country, but after that, the Congress central government started dissolving different assemblies for its own selfishness," he said, adding that "at different times the committees formed at the level of the Law Commission, Election Commission, and Parliament have recommended holding simultaneous elections in the country; in such a situation, the opposition alliance is getting scared of it."
Rathore further said, "In 1983, the Law Commission and in 1999, the Election Commissioner recommended that assembly and Lok Sabha elections be held simultaneously in the country."
Recalling the BJP's 2014 election manifesto, Rathore said it was promised to the people that under PM Modi's leadership, our efforts would be to hold simultaneous elections in the country. Also, in 2016, PM Modi reiterated this in the Lok Sabha, and in 2017, NITI Aayog also recommended holding simultaneous elections in the country.
"In the year 2014, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, it was also written in the election manifesto of the BJP that our effort would be to hold simultaneous elections in the country. In the year 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the same thing in the Lok Sabha as well. Similarly, in 2017, NITI Aayog also recommended holding simultaneous elections in the country. Rajavardhan Singh Rathore said that this is in the interest of the country, and the Prime Minister is saying that it will be discussed," he said.
Speaking on the special session of the parliament that has been called by the Union government, Rathore said, "Convening a special session of Parliament is within the jurisdiction of the government. If the government has decided that a special session should be called, then this is not the first time. Special sessions have also been called earlier. In such a situation, the opposition should come to Parliament and discuss it in the session," he added.