Centre to decide on simultaneous polls, says Khattar, rules out early elections in Haryana

The Chief Minister’s comment came in the backdrop of a number of party leaders demanding that the BJP leadership fight the upcoming elections separately.

Maintaining that the idea of one nation, one election is good for the country as it would help cut down the expenditure and resources used in the exercise, the BJP leader said, “The idea has been floated already and a lot of people are supporting it. But the decision will be taken by Delhi only. As long as Parliament does not clear it, it is not binding. For now, our elections (in Haryana) will be separate. Lok Sabha election will happen on its time and the Assembly according to its schedule.”

The Indian Express has reported that the 22nd Law Commission is set to submit a report recommending simultaneous elections in the country and to frame tentative timelines for the 2024 and 2029 cycles. The panel’s report is set to be submitted days after the government, citing “national interest”, formed a high-level committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind to “examine and make recommendations for holding simultaneous elections” to the Lok Sabha, state Assemblies, municipalities and panchayats.

During the interaction, Khattar also ruled out a caste survey for Haryana, saying the state would consider providing quota according to the demand of a particular community.

Amid the deepening tension between Haryana and Punjab over the construction of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, Khattar said the neighbouring state will have to change its attitude according to the directions of the Supreme Court. On Wednesday, a bench of justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, C T Ravikumar and Sudhanshu Dhulia, while hearing a matter relating to the SYL canal dispute, came down heavily on the Punjab government for not taking steps for the construction of the canal. The court remarked that Punjab has to cooperate in the process. “The Supreme Court has made it clear that it is in favour of construction of the SYL canal. It is the responsibility of the Punjab government and the Centre to execute it,” Khattar said, adding that the construction of the canal and the distribution of water are entirely different issues. “What the court has said now was about the construction of the canal, it is not about the water,” he said.

Asked about Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar’s statement that they will not let anyone take water from Punjab, Khattar said, “State unit leaders make statements in their state’s interests. But it’s not a state issue, it’s a Central issue.”