PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Haridwar Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stressed on the benefits and need for One Nation, One Election. Addressing members of the religious fraternity at a Sant Samagam at the Avdhoot Mandal Ashram here on Sunday, Chouhan said that recurring elections hamper the nation’s progress and exhorted them to raise public awareness for this constitutional change. Supporting the request and resolve communicated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said that One Nation, One Election is necessary in the interests of the nation. “Recurring elections affect the pace of development and public service while also resulting in heavy expenditure of money and administrative effort. This also hampers education in schools and the pace of development works becomes slower as the administrative machinery becomes busy with poll preparations. The expenditure reportedly amounting to lakhs of crores of rupees can be stopped and benefit the nation. Resources will be saved, poll-related time will be saved and the administrative focus will be on development if the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections are held together,” he said. The Union minister appealed to the religious fraternity to help in raising public awareness. He said that this idea can spread swiftly across the nation through their blessings and the influence of their disciples. Rising above political parties, this can become a strong motivation for national interest. He appealed to the ascetics to support One Nation, One Election in their discourse to create enthusiasm in the public and pave the way for the necessary constitutional amendment. Referring to the steps taken by PM Modi and the bill on the subject, Chouhan said that this work is not the issue of a particular political party but involves the entire nation, adding that the parties will survive if the nation stays ahead. Speaking on Vande Mataram, he said that this song is the symbol of patriotism and national unity, not that of any party or community. He appealed to the religious fraternity to support the complete form of Vande Mataram in their discourse. Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that One Nation, One Election is a national issue which is not political but connected to national interest, good governance, public welfare and the better use of national resources. India is the world’s largest democracy and elections are akin to a festival of democracy. However, an electoral process which is frequently repeated also affects governance and development works. Along with the imposition of the election model code of conduct, a large number of administrative officials, teachers, police and security forces have to be deployed for election related duties. If holding elections together saves public money and resources, provides more time to the administration for public service and development works, this will prove to be an important step towards further strengthening democracy, he added. National president of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad (ABAP) and Mansa Devi Temple Trust head Mahant Ravindra Puri stressed on the need for One Nation, One Election. He said that today anti-national forces want to weaken PM Modi and the religious fraternity will give a befitting reply to such elements. ABAP national general secretary Mahant Hari Giri said that the entire saint community stands with PM Modi on the issue of One Nation, One Election and the complete version of Vande Mataram. Yoga Guru Swami Ramdev extended support to One Nation, One Election, stating that it will save money and will also improve education and the development work of the country will be done at a faster pace. A large number of Acharyas, Mahamandaleshwars and ascetics from all 13 Akhadas attended the programme which was conducted by Mahamandaleshwar Swami Hari Chetanananda while Mahamandaleshwar Rupendra Prakash expressed his gratitude to everyone.
About The Author
