Prime Minister Narendra Modi is back into the theme of One Nation, One Election; meaning Lok Sabha, assembly and civic/local body polls need to be conducted simultaneously. The idea is worth a serious consideration for two reasons. As the PM stressed, the expenses and efforts for elections can be reduced, and governments can single-mindedly concentrate on nation-building for a full five-year term.
From the time the PM raised the matter in his first term in office at the Centre, there have been objections from the Opposition. From the tone and tenor of the comment from the PM this time, it is clear he is convinced about this. He stressed this is not a matter for discussion but implementation. A pre-requisite for this is a change in the Constitution. This requires two-thirds support in both houses of Parliament. The Modi government on its own does not have this luxury. At the same time, the PM and his party have the resources to mobilize support for key bills from parties outside of the NDA. The PM obviously has done the calculations and is convinced that he can see this through even in the Rajya Sabha where the BJP has substantially scaled up its numbers in recent times.
The Opposition had alleged the government was trying to bring in a Presidential system so pronounced in countries like the US. Here, as is evident in the Bihar polls, PM Modi has crisscrossed election-bound state after state almost regularly for campaigns. In May will come the assembly polls in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala etc, which would take the form of a mini-national poll. In such scenarios, the central government will be hesitant to take strong measures. An instance was a wholesale increase in railway fares, something that the Modi government hesitated to do after it took power first in 2014 in view of the approaching round of assembly polls in Maharashtra, Haryana and Delhi. Any strong decision will have impact on people’s mind for a short term while other issues come to the fore as time passes. In a democracy, it is important for leaders to keep the people in good humour. At the same time, strong decisions have to be taken on multiple fronts even as these might initially be frowned upon. National interest, as the PM stressed, is supreme.
Configuring the present terms of legislative bodies with the new plan requires a cut in some cases and an extension of term in some others. Yet, this is worth a try.