Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation for the 11th consecutive Independence Day. He urged all political parties to back the ‘One Nation, One Election’ (ONOE) initiative. He believes this will boost India’s progress.
Modi highlighted the negative impact of frequent elections. He stated, “Frequent elections are hindering the nation’s progress.” He pointed out that elections are so frequent that every scheme is linked to them. This, he said, leads to the media portraying schemes as election-driven.
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The Prime Minister explained how constant elections disrupt developmental projects. He mentioned that discussions with political parties had been extensive on this issue. A committee has recommended adopting One Nation One Election for sustained growth.
Modi, standing at the Red Fort with the national Tricolour as a backdrop, called on political leaders to support ONOE. He emphasized that this change would optimize India’s resources and lead to steady progress.
The ONOE concept involves holding Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections simultaneously every five years. However, it excludes panchayat, municipal, and by-elections. Implementing this plan requires a constitutional amendment. It needs approval from at least 50% of the states.
The NITI Aayog report revealed that, in the past 30 years, there has not been a single year without an election to either Lok Sabha or State Assemblies. The report noted that the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) restricts the government from introducing new projects or policies during election periods. This often leads to “policy paralysis,” supporters argue.