Why BJP’s Bihar allies are backing one nation, one election

JD(U) says will help smaller parties, Paswan cites lower expenses to back simultaneous polls.

This is the first time of late that NDA's Bihar allies have been on the same page as the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party – the JD(U) and the LJP(R) have differed with BJP over lateral entry and Waqf amendment. (File Photo)

Citing reasons such as saving money and expediting development, all three Bihar allies of the National Democratic Alliance – the Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) — have backed the Union Cabinet’s decision to go ahead with its ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal.

This is the first time of late that NDA’s Bihar allies have been on the same page as the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party – the JD(U) and the LJP(R) have differed with BJP over lateral entry and Waqf amendment. The Modi government also had to make it clear that it would not go with the Supreme Court’s recent decision on sub-categorisation of quota for scheduled castes following objections.

JD(U) advisor KC Tyagi told The Indian Express, “Bihar CM Nitish Kumar had made his stand clear in support of one nation, one election four years ago. This will help smaller parties like us with less election funds”.

Also Read | Deciphering Nitish Kumar’s ‘reassurance’ to BJP about his loyalty to NDA

JD(U) state chief spokesperson Neeraj Kumar added: “Our senior leaders, Union minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh) and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, had duly expressed the party’s stand before Ram Nath Kovind committee. It is a welcome step. Those criticising it should know that we followed ‘one nation, one election’ till 1967.”

Union minister for food processing Chirag Paswan called it a “historic step”. Paswan, the chief of the LJP(R), posted in Hindi on X: “One nation, one election will strengthen the country’s democratic process, reduce election expenses, and accelerate development projects. Additionally, it will increase transparency in elections and reduce the financial burden on the government exchequer. It will also simplify the role of paramilitary forces, police, and administrative officials from a security perspective”.

He added that his father, the late Ram Vilas Paswan, had supported this policy.

Union minister for micro, small and medium enterprises Jitan Ram Manjhi, the founder of the HAM(S), also welcomed the move.

Story continues below this ad

Also Read | Many questions about ‘one nation, one election’

“It looks that PM Narendra Modi is destined to make some of the boldest and most landmark decisions of recent times. The poor and Dalits, some of whom had been deprived of voting till recently, would be able to vote under the new system,” he said on X.

He added: “With Model Code of Conduct being in place for the good part of the year because of elections in some states or the other, development projects would often be stalled. The new system would save a lot of money for the state exchequer.”

Santosh Singh

Santosh Singh is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Indian Express since June 2008. He covers Bihar with main focus on politics, society and governance. Investigative and explanatory stories are also his forte. Singh has 25 years of experience in print journalism covering Bihar, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka. ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram