National

No hurry to implement 'one nation, one election': Azad

News On Time Desk 03 October 2023

Srinagar: Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) President Ghulam Nabi Azad said that there is no hurry to implement the concept of 'one nation, one election' in the country. Mr Azad is a member of the high-level committee set up to examine the government's 'One Nation One Election' concept of holding simultaneous national and state elections across the country. The committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind held its first official meeting last month.

He said that only the preliminary meeting of the committee was held and it was an introductory meeting. He said, I do not think there is any rush to implement it, as some people are suggesting. National parties, recognized parties, regional and other parties should be consulted and invited for discussions.

He said that it is wrong information that the committee will take the decision on its own. Everyone's opinion will be sought, he said. On Women's Reservation Bill, Mr. Azad said that this bill has come three decades late. He praised the government and all other parties for passing the bill, saying it was late. It should have come 15 to 20 years ago. This should have come even 30 years ago. Like during the time of UPA, in earlier efforts also, some constituent parties were against it. There was no unanimity. Now, at least there is consensus and it was passed in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.