ONE NATION.ONE ELECTION

Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the Bhartiya Janata Party's manifesto, titled 'Sankalp Patra', for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections on April 14th, coinciding with the birth anniversary of BR Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution.

The manifesto focuses on a vision termed "Viksit Bharat", featuring initiatives such as India's bid for the Olympics in 2036, the implementation of the New Education Policy (NEP), legislation against paper leaks, the enactment of a Uniform Civil Code, the introduction of a Bullet Train for the Northeast region, and the proposal for 'One Nation, One Election'.

One particularly controversial aspect of the Manifesto is the proposal for 'One Nation, One Election', which has sparked intense debate among experts. Some constitutional experts found it as a threat to federalism and an attempt to alter the balance of power between the central government and the states. Conversely, proponents argue it could be cost-effective, reducing the strain on administrative resources and security forces.

They believe it could facilitate smoother implementation of government policies, free from interruptions caused by frequent elections, and redirect administrative focus towards developmental endeavours rather than continuous campaigning.

"We have set up a committee to examine the issues of conducting simultaneous elections and will work towards implementing the recommendations," PM Modi said during the release of 'Sankalp Patra 2024'.

Previously, the BJP included the 'One Nation, One Election' plan in its 2019 manifesto as well, but the opposition has strongly criticised it, particularly concerning constitutional issues.