Importance of One Nation, One Election

PM Modi’s pitch for “one nation, one election” has been the need of the nation for decades.

- R.K. PACHNANDA

Elections take place regularly and periodically - whether it is parliamentary elections, assembly elections, bye-elections, panchayat elections and local body/corporation elections. Each state government is in a frenzy of some elections or the other and several developmental decisions, imperative for economic growth and development, are either delayed, disrupted, jeopardised or sacrificed as they are not “conducive” due to various political reasons or shifting convenience. The entire span of a state government is spent on political strategy rather than much development for the common man. And, in the bargain, crores of rupees are spent- a humongous amount, which should, otherwise, have been spent on development and welfare activities for the poor. Instead, simultaneous elections would lighten the burden on the government exchequer. Public funds will be better utilized for policy implementation and development rather than political maneuvering and campaigns. Frequent elections lead to several development and welfare programmes being suspended or in suspended animation as, after the declaration of elections, the model code of conduct comes into play and several projects get postponed or interrupted. As a result, effective and regular governance is largely adversely impacted.