"If done with right intention, no mistake in it": Jan Suraaj chief Prashant Kishore on 'One Nation One Election'

However, he also hit out at the BJP for their "intentions" over the conduction and timings of the initiative and said that BJP leaders were not talking about this during the results declaration of Lok Sabha Polls but they are discussing it after attaining a clear majority in the Haryana legislative elections.

Prashant Kishor said, "We have said earlier that if One Nation One Election is done with the right intention, then there is no mistake in it. After independence, the One Nation One Election was in place till 1965, but if it is being done with the intention that when the situation is in our favour then quickly conduct all the elections together."

Referring to the upcoming polling in Jharkhand, which is scheduled in two different phases, Kishor said, "On one hand, you are talking of One Nation One Election and on the other hand, you are dividing a small state Jharkhand into 4 parts and conducting elections so that there is time for campaigning. These two things cannot go together. This shows that if there is BJP's wave in the nation, they want to conduct all elections in same place."

Kishor iterated that there is "no fault" in this concept, however, intentions behind it should be checked.

"There is no fault in this concept but it is being done with wrong intentions. One Nation One Election should be conducted as there is nothing wrong in it, but intentions should be right. When a law is made, then intentions behind it should be checked. It should be checked whether it is made to target one community or scare someone or to gain political profits. BJP leaders were not talking about One Nation, One Election after the results of Lok Sabha Polls, as they got less seats, but, now they won in Haryana, they started again on One Nation, One Election. If you (BJP) are in the favour of the country, then conduct in both the situations, whether you are winning or not, but don't impose it on the country while combining it with your win or lose," he said.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Modi said that the BJP-led Central government was working towards achieving 'One Nation, One Election', and Secular Civil Code.

Addressing the National Unity Day parade in Gujarat's Kevadia, Prime Minister Modi said, "We are now working towards One Nation One Election, which will strengthen India's democracy, give optimum outcome of India's resources and the country will gain new momentum in achieving the dream of a developed India. Today, India is moving towards One Nation One Civil Code that is a Secular Civil Code."

He also said that earlier, there were different tax systems in India, but BJP-led Central government created the One Nation, One Tax System- GST.

"Today we are all seeing the success of One Nation Identity- Aadhar and the world is also discussing it. Earlier, there were different tax systems in India, but we created the One Nation One Tax System- GST," he said.

"We strengthened the country's power sector with One Nation One Power Grid. We integrated the facilities available to the poor through One Nation One Ration Card. We have provided the facility of One Nation One Health Insurance to the people of the country in the form of Aayushman Bharat," he said.

Notably, on September 18, the Union Cabinet approved the government's 'One Nation, One Election' proposal, which proposes simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, with urban body and panchayat polls to be held within 100 days.

The recommendations were made in a report of a high panel committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind. (ANI)