Political parties are divided on the issue of holding elections for the assemblies of the Lok Sabha and the states. On the proposal of the Law Commission, six parties came in favour of it, while nine parties opposed it. Interestingly, the BJP and the main Opposition Congress have kept silence on it now. Apart from Shiromani Akali Dal, NDA constituents, the AIADMK, Samajwadi Party, JDU, TRS and Naveen Patnaik's Biju Janata Dal have endorsed this idea on the conclusion of the two-day consultation program on holding elections together in the country.
The BJD, however, will keep its views on July 10. TRS MP B Vinod Kumar said that this is not the BJP or Prime Minister Modi's agenda. The Law Commission had taken its initiative long ago. The party and its chief Chandrasekhar Rao believe that the election together will help in the development of the states and the country. The BJP's allies Goa Party, Trinamool Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, DMK, Telugu Desam Party, CPI, CPI (M), Forward Block and Janata Dal (S) have opposed it.
SP's representative Ram Gopal Yadav supported this idea, though he said that the first time elections should be held only in the year 2019 with the Lok Sabha. However, if elections are held next year, the term of the Yogi Adityanath government in UP will be greatly reduced. The Akali Dal said that as the election expenditure would be reduced, the time for the code of conduct will also be reduced.
Meanwhile, Aishwarya Khaitan of AAP told the Law Commission that it is a "trick" to make the election together. He said that the prime minister should not address rallies if elections are held together. At the same time, TDP said that it is not possible in a vast country like India. TMC protested against it and said that regional issues would be suppressed.
The BJP has raised the voice in support of the election together, has sought more time from the commission to keep its opinion on the proposal. The party says the term of the present commission is ending in August. At the same time, Congress has said that he will consult with the opposition parties before making their mind on this matter.
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