BJP’s Anurag Thakur bats for 'One Nation, One Election'
Srinagar, Apr 22: Senior BJP leader and Member of Parliament Anurag Thakur on Tuesday reiterated his party’s commitment to implementing the ‘One Nation, One Election’ (ONOE) formula, calling it a “win-win” solution for India.
Addressing reporters on the sidelines of a BJP outreach event in Srinagar, Thakur said that simultaneous elections would drastically cut costs, increase voter turnout, and ensure uninterrupted governance across the country.
“India spends around Rs 1.5 lakh crore during each election cycle — by candidates, parties, and institutions including the Election Commission. If ONOE is implemented, this expenditure can be minimised, and the funds could be redirected to developmental activities. It could contribute an estimated 1.5% to India’s GDP,” the five-time MP from Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh said.
He said that elections to the assemblies of Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir were held shortly after the Lok Sabha elections, followed by polls in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Delhi. “At least five states go to polls every year, disrupting normal governance due to the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). If we can synchronize the elections, we can save time and energy of both the administration and the public,” Thakur explained.
He said the government was hopeful that if consensus builds, the ONOE mechanism could be rolled out as early as 2029. “If the model matures by then, states like Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Punjab — which go to polls in 2027 — would see their assembly terms adjusted to align with the national election cycle,” he added.
On the issue of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, which was revoked following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, Thakur reiterated the BJP’s commitment to restoring it.
“We have promised it and we will deliver. J&K will get statehood at the right time,” he said, without offering a specific timeline. J&K has been functioning as a Union Territory since the bifurcation in 2019.
Commenting on the recent spate of terror incidents in the Jammu division, Thakur said that the BJP-led government maintains a “zero tolerance” policy towards terrorism.
“Be it Naxalism or terrorism, the Modi government has cracked down heavily. Security forces have neutralized or arrested top operatives across regions. Kashmir has seen a significant reduction in violence and militancy,” he said. He also praised the security forces for foiling several recent attempts to disturb peace in the Jammu division.
In light of increasing infiltration attempts and targeted attacks in Rajouri and Poonch districts, Thakur said the security apparatus remains alert and proactive. “Our forces are doing a commendable job. There is no space for terrorism in today’s India,” he said.
Thakur also denied allegations that the BJP was trying to pressure the Supreme Court over the Waqf (Amendment) Act. “Our national president has already clarified that the BJP respects constitutional institutions. The opposition is trying to build false narratives,” he said.
Turning his attention to the Congress party, Thakur launched a sharp attack on Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of spreading “falsehoods” about India on foreign soil.
“He loses elections in India and then maligns the country abroad. He should seek clarification from his mentor, Sam Pitroda, who recently claimed that Babasaheb Ambedkar had no role in drafting the Constitution,” Thakur said.
He also hit out at Pitroda’s recent remarks on wealth redistribution, alleging that such statements expose the Congress party’s confused ideology. “Rahul Gandhi carries Ambedkar’s photo for optics in India while his mentor undermines Ambedkar’s legacy abroad,” he said.
Thakur further defended the BJP’s stand on contentious issues like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Ram Mandir, and triple talaq. “These reforms have only brought benefits. Muslim women are safer after the triple talaq ban. No Muslim has lost their citizenship after CAA. The fear created by the opposition is unfounded,” he said.
