A parliamentary joint committee examining the “One Nation, One Election” proposal has said that holding Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections together could bring major savings for the country.
Committee chair and BJP Lok Sabha MP P.P. Chaudhary said simultaneous elections could help save around Rs 7 lakh crore. He also claimed the move could raise the country’s gross domestic product by about 1.6%.
The BJP-led Union government has decided to pursue the plan, and a related bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha in December 2024 amid strong opposition from rival parties. The bill has since been referred to the joint committee for detailed scrutiny.
The 41-member panel, led by Chaudhary, is consulting various stakeholders. During a meeting in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, the committee held discussions with the state chief secretary, government officials and representatives of political parties.
Chaudhary said the committee has asked the Gujarat government to prepare a detailed report, which he said could serve as a model for other states. He added that any savings could be channelled into infrastructure, education and health, and expressed hope that members would work beyond politics in the national interest.
