Saffron conclave on one nation, one poll

NEWDELHI: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) linked think-tank, Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini (RMP), plans a new push for the ‘one nation, one election’ idea, also backed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Centre has sent out invites to different political parties for a two-day conclave in Mumbai on January 20 and 21 to discuss the feasibility of holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

Rajya Sabha MP and RMP vice-chairman Vinay Sahasrabuddhe said Baijayant Jay Panda of the Biju Janata Dal and KC Tyagi of the Janata Dal (United) will attend the conclave.

“We will present a report to the government at the end of the event,” said Sahasrabuddhe.

The BJP MP said many politi- cal parties have theoretically backed the idea, but have issues regarding its implementation. Several papers, he said, will be presented at the conclave suggesting ways to iron out those differences.

The seminar will cover five major issues — hazards of multiplicity of elections; concept, advisability and implementation issues related to simultaneous election; issues regarding no-confidence and dissolution of houses and their solutions; advisability and implementation-related issues of aligning local body elections with general elections and worldwide experiences of ‘one nation, one election’.

Sahasrabuddhe said the multiplicity and the code of conduct that comes into effect before polls on any level hamper development work and give rise to logistical issues.