BJP starts campaign for simultaneous polls

Taking forward the appeal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to conduct simultaneous elections, the Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) has begun the exercise to build a consensus among the political parties.

BJP leader and Rajya Sabha member Vinay Sahasrabuddhe-led think tank Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini will be holding a two-day national seminar "One Nation, One Election". It has invited all the political parties to the event as stakeholders.

But the exercise seems to be fraught with problems from the beginning as the Congress and left parties have so far not responded to the invitation and are unlikely to attend the seminar. The seminar will be attended by KC Tyagi of ally JD(U), Baijayant Panda from BJD.

The think tank, which is holding the seminar in partnership with Indian Council of Social Sciences & Research (ICSSR), will forward its recommendations to the government.

Addressing the media on Wednesday, Sahasrabuddhe said that 'One Nation, One Election' has to go a long way to become a reality as all stakeholders need to be brought on-board.

In response to questions on how simultaneous polls can be held if the Central government falls, Sahasrabuddhe said one of the suggestions offered was that a positive vote of confidence for an alternative government should take place before the incumbent dispensation is brought down.

"It's worth the exercise as it will prove to be mother of all reforms for a delivering democracy, and will not only cut down the huge expenditure that the country incurs but will also help the country engage in continuous developmental work," he said.