Senior Maha minister says simultaneous polls desirable

A senior BJP minister in Maharashtra today said that simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections would be preferable, as it would save on costs.

Assembly elections are due in Maharashtra next year.

Speaking to reporters, state Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said the government spent Rs 18 crore on Lok Sabha by-elections to Palghar and Bhandara-Gondia in May.

At this rate, the government may end up spending Rs 864 crore for conducting elections to 48 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state (during general elections), he said.

"Therefore, if Lok Sabha and Assembly elections are held simultaneously, it will save tax payers' money and the government can go ahead with development works," Mungantiwar said.

"The model code of conduct becomes a major hurdle which brings to halt all development works. In last four years, the code of conduct was imposed for 351 days, which meant that almost a full year was wasted," the minister said.

The state government recently set up a two-member committee headed by Mungantiwar to examine feasibility of simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections and send a report to the Centre.

The debate over simultaneous elections began after the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice presented its 79th report last year. Prime minister Narendra Modi had said there should be a a debate on whether simultaneous polls would be desirable.