The recent decision by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance government to advance the one-nation-one-poll proposal and convene a special session of Parliament for discussions has surprisingly elicited no reaction from either the ruling YSR Congress party or the opposition Telugu Desam Party in Andhra Pradesh.
However, in Telangana, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has responded strongly to the proposal, accusing the Centre of rushing through it without conducting a thorough and scientific examination.
The Congress, as expected, has opposed simultaneous polls, aligning with its national policy.
In 2019, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened an all-party meeting to discuss the idea, all three regional parties – YSRC, TDP, and BRS (then TRS) – supported the proposal.
During the meeting with the Prime Minister, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy praised the initiative as bold and innovative.
He stated that his party endorsed the proposal to ensure a free and fair election process and promote participatory development.
In the 2019 meeting, the TDP also expressed support for the idea but deemed it impractical.
In a letter to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahalad Joshi, TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu emphasized the need for broader consultations before arriving at a decision.
In fact, Andhra Pradesh has been conducting simultaneous elections for the assembly and Lok Sabha since 1999.
Therefore, holding elections simultaneously nationwide would make little difference for Jagan or Naidu.
However, the TDP is reportedly a bit apprehensive this time, fearing that the YSRCP may have an advantage.
Naidu believes that if elections are held separately, the Centre can focus specifically on Andhra Pradesh and prevent Jagan from influencing the election process.
During the 2019 meeting, BRS working president and Telangana IT minister K T Rama Rao welcomed the move and stated that the BRS would support the legislation if introduced in Parliament.
However, he stressed the need for thorough deliberation before implementation.
"If elections are held once, both the Central and State Governments can introduce budgets easily, which will help deliver results to the people within five years," KTR had stated back then.
But now, KCR seems to have changed his stance, believing that the BJP has ulterior motives to destabilize regional parties.
BRS Rajya Sabha MP K Keshav Rao dismissed the talk of such bills being introduced and passed as far-fetched.
He cited numerous rumors and emphasized that even if they intend to enact something like this, a five-day session would be insufficient.
"Moreover, if any bill requires a Constitutional amendment, as speculated, it must be discussed and adopted by State legislatures," he added.
