Venkaiah Naidu bats for ‘One Nation, One Election’

Former Vice President of India, M Venkaiah Naidu, strongly advocated for the implementation of One Nation, One Election, stating it is vital for strengthening democracy and improving governance.

Speaking at an intellectuals’ meet held at TUDA Auditorium in Tirupati on Saturday, Naidu emphasized that simultaneous elections are not only feasible but also necessary for India’s future.

Addressing a packed gathering of academicians, political leaders, and students, Naidu recalled that simultaneous elections were the norm in India until 1967. “For nearly 20 years after Independence, elections to the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies were conducted together. However, the trend was disrupted when the then Central Congress government started dissolving State assemblies that it didn’t favor. This led to a staggered election cycle that continues even today,” he said.

He warned that frequent elections are detrimental to the nation’s economy and administrative machinery. “Continuous elections divert the police force and civil authorities from governance to election duties, hampering development work and delaying welfare schemes,” Naidu noted.

Citing global examples, he said several democratic nations already hold simultaneous elections, and India too must consider it seriously. He pointed out that the Central Government, under the leadership of former President Ram Nath Kovind, had initiated consultations with intellectuals and political parties before recommending a unified electoral cycle.
Naidu clarified that simultaneous elections are not against regional parties and would, in fact, reduce electoral expenditure and limit corrupt practices like voter inducement. “It will also give parties a chance to streamline their campaigns and reduce unnecessary costs,” he added.

He also called for legal reforms to prevent elected representatives from switching parties. “If a person defects from the party on whose ticket he or she was elected, they must lose their position immediately. Only strict laws can ensure stable governments,” he asserted.

In a broader appeal, Naidu urged Naxals and extremist groups to abandon violence and join the democratic mainstream. “Change should come through the ballot, not the bullet,” he said.

ABRSM State President Prof. Y V Rami Reddy, TTD Board member Bhanu Prakash Reddy, BJP district president Samanchi Srinivas, former vice chancellors Prof. Prabhakar Rao, Prof. Ranga Janardhan, Prof. Murali and advocate Madabhushi Doraswamy participated.