‘One Nation, One Election is the Need of the Hour”: Jairam
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Shimla, June 19, 2025 — Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur strongly advocated for the “One Nation, One Election” reform during a meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee chaired by MP P.P. Chaudhary on the 129th Constitutional Amendment. Thakur emphasized that frequent elections hinder governance and delay developmental policies, making this reform critical for India’s sustained progress.
Highlighting historical precedence, Thakur noted that from 1951 to 1967, simultaneous elections were effectively held, including in Himachal Pradesh till 1977. He stated that repeated enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct disrupts policy-making and administration for months. “This initiative, though difficult, is being rightly championed by PM Modi, whose leadership has always focused on executing challenging reforms,” Thakur remarked.
He added that implementing the reform might necessitate curtailment of some state government terms, but its long-term benefits outweigh the transitional challenges. Thakur also suggested uniformity in the existence of Legislative Councils across states to bring structural consistency in Indian democracy — a proposal acknowledged and appreciated by committee members.
On state politics, Thakur criticized the current Congress-led government in Himachal, saying it is plagued by internal dissent. He pointed out that ministers themselves are threatening resignations, and multiple Congress and independent MLAs have distanced themselves from the government, exposing weak leadership. He accused the government of fostering corruption and losing public trust.
