New Delhi, June 02: BJP president M Venkaiah Naidu is all set to pursue vigorously the concept of holding all elections from panchayat to Parliament simultaneously on a single day across the country with a view to "save on poll expenses and focus attention on development." The concept, which was practised in the country till 1967, would require a "broad consensus and understanding" among all political parties, particularly the Congress, BJP and the Communists, Naidu told reporters during an informal chat here today.
According to him, the issue needed to be debated both within the BJP and with other parties.
Naidu also expressed the view that for such a practice to succeed, it was equally pertinent to ensure that an alternative government was put in place once an incumbent regime is voted out in the legislature.
"A no confidence vote will have to be followed by a confidence vote," he said and referred to a similar concept in Germany.
"The present system leaves room for only selection, election and collection. But once all elections are held simultaneously, the focus would be on development, besides saving a lot on poll expenditure," Naidu said.
Bureau Report