Need political stability across Centre, states for India to be a global superpower by 2047: Pradhan

The event, organised at DU’s Rugby Stadium, saw participation from thousands of students, faculty, staff and alumni, and was part of a series of programmes aimed at raising awareness around the ‘One Nation One Election’ proposal.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who was also present, congratulated students for their participation and called repeated elections a drain on public resources. “Due to repeated elections, thousands of crores of rupees are spent every year. Development work is affected due to repeated imposition of the Model Code of Conduct,” she said.

Highlighting DU’s role in shaping national discourse, Pradhan noted, “DU has a history — whenever any new idea is conceived in this country, it either originates from this campus or DU is at the forefront in its implementation.”

Vice-Chancellor Professor Yogesh Singh, who presided over the event, said this was the third awareness programme on the subject held at DU in April alone. “This is a good beginning that will help take the country forward,” he said. “Delhi University is playing an important role in the ‘One Nation One Election’ campaign.”

The run, flagged off by Pradhan, Gupta, Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood, and other dignitaries, began at the Rugby Stadium, passed through Chhatra Marg and returned to the stadium. Among the attendees were senior BJP leaders, Delhi MLAs, faculty heads, and public figures, including international wrestler Babita Phogat.

The ‘One Nation One Election’ initiative, supported by a resolution in the Lok Sabha and examined under the leadership of former President Ram Nath Kovind, seeks to synchronise elections to the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, with proponents citing cost savings and better governance.