Hyderabad: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has called for a serious national discussion on the idea of ‘One Nation, One Election’. He believes holding multiple elections at different times slows down development and wastes public money.
Chouhan shared his views during a virtual address at a seminar hosted by the Telangana BJP on Sunday. The event brought together experts and professionals to explore the benefits of synchronized elections.
He pointed out that India spends over ₹4 lakh crore on separate Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections. These costs are growing with every cycle. According to him, organizing elections every few months ties up political and administrative systems, including health workers like doctors, distracting them from public service.
“When elections are announced, the entire administrative machinery gets involved,” he said. “This delays key decisions and weakens our progress toward building a ‘Vikasit Bharat’ — a developed India.”
Chouhan stressed that holding all elections at the same time would save resources and keep development work running smoothly. He explained that during election periods, the Model Code of Conduct halts most government activities. Simultaneous elections, he said, would help leaders focus on solving people’s problems instead of being stuck in constant campaign mode.
He urged the public and professionals to support the idea and help raise awareness. “Some constitutional changes are necessary, but we must be ready to take bold steps,” Chouhan added.
He also stated that while the BJP might gain politically from multiple elections, the party puts the country first. “Our priority is ‘Nation First, Party Next’, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision,” he said.
Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy also addressed the seminar. He criticized the continued use of outdated colonial-era policies even after 76 years of independence. He said PM Modi has been pushing for legal reforms that better suit modern India’s needs.
Reddy mentioned key decisions made under BJP rule, such as the introduction of GST, the repeal of Article 370, and the Triple Talaq ban. He urged professionals, thinkers, and analysts to push political parties toward accepting and implementing One Nation, One Election.
Other key figures at the event included Sunil Bansal, the BJP’s national general secretary; Anil K Antony, national coordinator for One Nation, One Election; and N Ramchander Rao, the initiative’s state coordinator for Telangana.
Before the seminar began, Chouhan and other leaders also paid tribute to India’s armed forces for their success in Operation Sindoor.
