Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday clarified that the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal will not be implemented during the upcoming general elections, dismissing what she described as “false propaganda” by certain political parties.
Speaking at SRM University in Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, Sitharaman addressed growing speculation around the simultaneous elections plan. “This concept was widely discussed during several occasions. It was not something introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This ‘One Nation, One Election’ was in existence till the 1960s,” she said, urging critics to evaluate the idea based on its merits instead of opposing it blindly.
She highlighted the economic benefits of holding simultaneous polls for Parliament and state assemblies, citing significant savings and a potential boost to GDP. “If simultaneous elections are held for electing the members of Parliament and Assembly, about 1.5 per cent growth will be added to the country’s GDP. In value terms, Rs 4.50 lakh crore will get added to the economy. This is a black and white example of the ‘One Nation, One Election’ concept,” she said.
The Finance Minister also claimed that the cost of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections is estimated to be around Rs 1 lakh crore, pointing out that this level of expenditure could be curtailed through a unified election schedule.
Sitharaman stressed that the proposed reform is being planned for the long term. “Simultaneous polls are planned to take place only after 2034 and the groundwork is being laid now for the then President to give his assent,” she said.
Taking aim at opposition parties, Sitharaman said some are resisting the idea for political reasons. “Instead of blindly opposing it, if it has been supported considering its benefit, the ‘One Nation, One Election’ concept will make the country move forward.”
She also invoked the legacy of the late DMK leader M. Karunanidhi, asserting, “The late DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi had supported the ‘One Nation, One Election’ concept, but his son and the current Chief Minister (M. K. Stalin) is not following in his father’s footsteps and instead opposing it.”
Sitharaman reiterated that the initiative was “not someone’s pet project” but one aimed at national interest and long-term governance reform.
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