BJP prez writes in support of simultaneous polls

BJP president Amit Shah has come out in support of holding Lok Sabha and assembly polls simultaneously, saying it will check government expenditure and ensure the nation is not in "election mode" throughout the year.

In a letter to the Law Commission today, Shah said holding simultaneous polls is not only a concept, but also a principle which can be implemented.

Shah said two sets of polls will strengthen the federal structure of the country. He told the panel that during elections the Model Code of Conduct is in force which adversely impacts development works and policy decisions.

Shah maintained that there is no relation between Lok Sabha and assembly elections. He pointed out that Prime Minster Narendra Nodi, President Ram Nath Kovind and former President Pranab Mukherjee have all supported the idea of 'one nation, one poll'.

For the best-possible legal framework, there is a need for an "open, free and frank" debate among parties and stakeholders, he wrote.

Shah's letter to the law panel was handed over by a BJP delegation which met the commission top brass this afternoon.

In his eight-page letter, the Bharatiya Janata Party chief said the opposition to simultaneous polls seems to be politically motivated.

The law panel, which is examining the feasibility of holding simultaneous polls, had earlier sought the views of political parties before finalising its report. Both the BJP and Congress had stayed away from the consultation organised by the commission.

The Congress had met the commission top brass recently where it had opposed the concept of simultaneous polls.

A paper by the Law Commission had recently recommended holding the Lok Sabha and assembly polls in two phases beginning 2019.

Political parties are divided on the issue. Besides NDA ally Shiromani Akali Dal, the AIADMK, the Samajwadi Party and the Telangana Rashtra Samiti have supported it.

Congress, Trinamool Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, DMK, Telugu Desam Party, Left parties and the JD(S) have opposed the proposal.