New Delhi: Speculations have re-surfaced that the Modi government is all set to seriously consider the possibility of holding simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies.
With the proposed Grand Alliance nowhere in sight and Modi still topping the popularity chart, early polls could hit the Congress and the Opposition hard. PI leader and Rajya Sabha member D. Raja said that the Opposition was not interested in presenting its views to the Law Commission or Election Commission.
It might be noted that there is a deep divide within political parties on the issue of holding simultaneous polls. While many, including Biju Janata Dal chief Navin Patnaik have backed the PM’s call for simultaneous polls, allies like JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar have been giving confusing signals.
It might be recalled that when Mr Kumar joined the NDA after exiting the Grand Alliance had backed simultaneous polls. However, recently he had said that though he was in favour of the concept in-principle, polls in Bihar should be held only after the completion of the full five-year term.
