- Union Agriculture Minister Calls for Youth Engagement in Supporting Unified Elections
Bhopal: On Thursday, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan addressed students at the Oriental Institute in Bhopal on the topic of “One Nation, One Election.” He emphasized that repeated elections throughout the year disrupt national development and waste valuable resources. He called for a constitutional amendment to conduct simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
During his speech, Chouhan urged the youth to take up the cause of “One Nation, One Election” and make it a public movement. He emphasized the role students could play in creating forums and campaigns that advocate for this reform. “It’s time for the country to unite and demand that elections be held together, ending the waste of time, money, and resources,” Chouhan said. He also quoted Swami Vivekananda, inspiring students to rise and contribute their voices to the cause of national development.
Chouhan pointed out that until 1967, India conducted simultaneous elections, but the practice was halted due to political disruptions. He recalled that in 1983, the Election Commission and later, in 1999, the Law Commission advocated for unified elections. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, this issue has gained significant traction, with a high-level committee endorsing the idea.
Chouhan stressed the continuous election cycle, citing the recent elections in multiple states and how they interfere with long-term planning. He concluded by emphasizing the need for constitutional changes to enable synchronized elections, allowing governments to focus solely on development for the remainder of their tenure.
