Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has reiterated his strong support for the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal after its approval by the Union Cabinet on Thursday. Sarma emphasized that holding simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections would help ensure continuous development work, which often faces delays when elections are staggered.

Addressing the media following a visit to the Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, Sarma said, “When Assembly and Lok Sabha elections are not held together, development work comes to a halt. That is why the Prime Minister is backing this initiative, and we fully support ‘One Nation, One Election.'” He further explained that for the proposal to be implemented, it must receive a two-thirds majority in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, expressing confidence that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would facilitate its passage.

Former President Ram Nath Kovind, who leads the committee on the proposal, has also emphasized the need for a national consensus on the matter. Kovind stated that ‘One Nation, One Election’ is in the interest of the entire country, rather than any particular party, and added that its implementation could boost India’s GDP by 1-1.5 percent.

The ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal, approved by the Union Cabinet in September, aims to synchronize Lok Sabha, State Assembly, urban body, and panchayat elections within a 100-day window, marking a significant shift in India’s electoral framework.