The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre is set to introduce the concept of “One Nation, One Election” during its current term, according to a senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) functionary. The move aims to hold simultaneous elections for both state assemblies and the Lok Sabha, dismissing speculations of internal pressure from allies.
Speaking on the eve of the NDA government’s third term’s 100-day mark, the official credited the government’s “stable policies and evidence-based reforms” for driving the country’s economic growth. “One nation, one election will be rolled out during the current term of the NDA government,” said the BJP leader, who chose to remain anonymous.
In his Independence Day address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocated for simultaneous polls, emphasizing that frequent elections hinder national progress. The BJP argues that this approach would reduce election costs and limit the disruptions caused by the model code of conduct, which restricts policy decisions during election periods.
While key NDA ally Janata Dal (United) supports the initiative, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has yet to comment on a high-level committee’s report on the feasibility of the plan.
The anonymous BJP leader also sought to dispel rumors that the party’s diminished strength in the Lok Sabha, where it now holds 240 seats (down from 303 in 2019), had given its allies more leverage over policy matters. The official rejected claims that recent government decisions, including scrapping lateral entry into the bureaucracy and rolling back a Budget proposal on long-term capital gains tax, were influenced by its coalition partners.
The high-level committee on One Nation, One Election, led by former President Ram Nath Kovind, has recommended simultaneous polls for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies as an initial step. However, the committee has not outlined a specific timeline for the plan’s implementation.
Despite the BJP’s loss of its outright majority in the Lok Sabha, the party continues to rely on key allies, including JD(U) and TDP, to maintain its governance.
Reflecting on the NDA government’s performance in its first 100 days, the BJP leader highlighted achievements across infrastructure, agriculture, business, and social welfare. Key projects worth ₹3 lakh crore have been approved, focusing on roads, railways, ports, and airways. For the farming sector, the government distributed ₹20,000 crore to 93 million farmers and raised the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Kharif crops, benefiting 120 million farmers by ₹2 lakh crore.
For the middle class, the government eliminated taxes on incomes up to ₹7 lakh and pledged to review income tax rules within six months. It also announced the Unified Pension Scheme, providing long-serving employees with pensions equivalent to 50% of their average basic salary.
In addition, the government has launched initiatives to empower youth, women, and marginalized communities. A ₹2 lakh crore employment package was announced for youth, with over 15,000 new government appointments. Mudra loans for women were increased from ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh, while development projects are planned for 63,000 tribal villages to improve the socio-economic conditions of 50 million tribals.
