Rupani favours simultaneous elections

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani today backed the idea of holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, saying separate polls waste people's time and the government's money.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has put forth a thought (of simultaneous elections). Every year elections take place in the country and it (the election cycle) never ends.

"It wastes people's time and costs the exchequer," Rupani told reporters, when asked about the proposal of simultaneous elections.

Rupani was talking to reporters at the Raipur airport after inaugurating 'Sadaakal Gujarat' cultural event here.

"The code of conduct hampers development works," he said, adding that all this can be avoided with simultaneous polls.

The Gujarat chief minister however said nationwide discussions should be held on the issue, after which "all political parties should decide together what will be in the interest of the nation".

He also welcomed the Union Cabinet's nod for ordinance providing capital punishment for rape of children.

It will act as a deterrent, Rupani said.

He also exuded confidence about the BJP's victory in the Karnataka Assembly polls, saying people were disappointed and angry with the "corrupt" Congress government.