New National Debate A fresh national debate has ignited over the ‘One Nation, One Election’ concept. Several opposition parties, including the Congress, have criticized the central government’s stance on this issue. However, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy’s YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has expressed its support for ‘One Nation, One Election.’ The party’s General Secretary, V Vijayasai Reddy, has backed this idea.
Positive Aspects and Savings V Vijayasai Reddy, who is also a Rajya Sabha member of the ruling party in Andhra Pradesh, highlighted the positive aspects of ‘One Nation, One Election.’ He stated that it has the potential to save significant amounts of money, running into thousands of crores of rupees. He emphasized that this concept is not new in India’s history.
The concept of One Nation-One Election has many positives most of all it saves thousands of crores. The concept is not new. India had simultaneous General and State elections in 1951-52, 1957, 1962 & 1967. For us in AP, it does not affect us as the Lok Sabha and Assembly…
— Vijayasai Reddy V (@VSReddy_MP) September 2, 2023
No Impact on Andhra Pradesh Reddy clarified that this concept would not impact Andhra Pradesh, as the state already conducts Lok Sabha and assembly elections simultaneously. He mentioned that similar simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies took place in 1951-52, 1957, 1962, and 1967.
Committee Formation The Central Government recently formed an 8-member committee to study the ‘One Nation, One Election’ concept. Former President Ram Nath Kovind heads this committee. Other members include Union Home Minister Amit Shah, former Rajya Sabha MP Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Finance Commission Chairman NK Singh, and senior advocate Harish Salve, among others.
