Most parties supported idea of 'one nation, one election': Rajnath Singh after all-party meet

Most parties have supported the idea of 'One Nation, One Election', said Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh after the all-party meet called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss and share ideas on it. 

"Most parties gave their support to One Nation, One Election, CPI(M) and CPI had a difference of opinion but they didn't oppose the idea," Singh said while addressing the media after an all-party meet which was attended by the parties like NCP, YSRCP, TRS, PDP and others. 

He also said that the PM will set up a panel to give suggestions on issues related to 'one nation, one election' proposal.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh after conclusion of the meeting of Presidents of all parties called by PM Modi: We had invited 40 political parties, out of which Presidents of 21 parties participated and 3 other parties sent their opinion on the subjects in writing. pic.twitter.com/FgsjkEQotg

— ANI (@ANI) June 19, 2019

"One nation one poll isn't a party's agenda, it's the nation's agenda. Wherever there is a difference of opinion, we will consider it very seriously. 40 political parties were invited, chiefs of 21 parties participated, 3 parties sent their opinion in writing," Singh added.

Asked about the composition of the proposed committee, Singh said the prime minister will take a call.

PM Modi had invited heads of all political parties having representatives in Parliament today to freely interact and exchange views with the government on "one nation, one election" idea, celebration of the 75 years of Independence in 2022 and 150 years of Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary this year. 

The prime minister's pitch for simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections has been strongly backed by Odisha's ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD), while some other opposition parties termed the suggestion as "impractical".

Meanwhile, Milind Deora, president of the Mumbai committee of Indian National Congress (INC), has extended support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious “one nation, one election” proposal saying bold ideas rarely get bipartisan support in India. 

Terming it his personal opinion, Deora said lack of bipartisanship is hurting India's prospects and preventing it from freeing itself from the clutches of archaic precedents and systems. 

 "India's 70-year electoral journey has taught us that the Indian voter can differentiate between state and central polls. Our democracy is neither fragile nor immature and debate of one nation-one poll calls for an open mind on either side of spectrum," Milind Deora said in a Twitter statement.