"Nitish Kumar has always supported simultaneous elections": JDU MP Sanjay Kumar Jha backs 'One Nation One Election'

He added that the party had previously voiced its support for the bill and had approached the relevant committee.

Jha remarked, "Our party welcomes this. We had approached this committee, and I was also part of the delegation. Nitish Kumar has always advocated for simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha. We conveyed to the committee that our party supports this initiative. The country is perpetually in election mode, which disrupts public and developmental work. If there is a single election, it will reduce expenses significantly."

LJP (Ram Vilas) MP Shambhavi Choudhary also expressed her support for the bill, highlighting its potential to save time and minimise resource wastage while prioritising the country's development.

"This is a very good bill. I have always supported the One Nation, One Election initiative, and the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) has consistently endorsed it. Elections tend to divert focus away from pressing issues, development, and governance. With One Nation, One Election, resources can be optimised, and post-election, development can take precedence," Choudhary said.

BJP MP Kangana Ranaut also lauded the 'One Nation, One Election' initiative, describing it as the need of the hour due to the financial burden imposed by frequent elections.

Speaking to the media, Ranaut highlighted challenges related to recurring elections, including declining voter turnout.

"'One Nation, One Election' is crucial because conducting elections every six months places a heavy financial strain on the government treasury. The biggest challenge is motivating people to vote repeatedly, as voter turnout decreases with frequent elections. This initiative is timely and has widespread support," she stated.

On Thursday, the Union Cabinet approved the 'One Nation, One Election' bill, paving the way for its introduction in Parliament.

The approval marks a significant step towards implementing unified elections across the country, with a comprehensive bill expected to be tabled soon.

Earlier, on Wednesday, former President of India Ram Nath Kovind emphasised the need for consensus on the initiative, stating that it transcends political interests and serves the nation as a whole. Kovind, who chairs the committee on the issue, noted its potential economic benefits.

"The Central government will have to build consensus. This is not about any party's interest but about the nation's welfare. Economists believe that implementing One Nation, One Election could boost the country's GDP by 1-1.5 per cent," Kovind told the media.

In September, the Union Cabinet approved the proposal, aiming to conduct simultaneous Lok Sabha, Assembly, urban body, and panchayat elections within a span of 100 days. The recommendations were outlined in a report by a high-level panel chaired by Kovind.

Following the Cabinet's approval, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the decision as a milestone in strengthening Indian democracy.

"The Cabinet has accepted the recommendations of the High-Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections. I commend former President Shri Ram Nath Kovind Ji for leading this effort and consulting a broad spectrum of stakeholders. This is a significant step towards making our democracy more vibrant and participative," PM Modi posted on X. (ANI)