Two-Third Majority, Amendments In Constitution: Harish Salve On Implementing Simultaneous Polls

New Delhi: Senior advocate and former Solicitor General of India, Harish Salve has said that the ‘One Nation One Election’ will save time, effort and improve governance, as the Modi Cabinet has cleared the recommendations of a high-level committee chaired by Ram Nath Kovind. In a exclusive conversation with Republic TV's Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami on having simultaneous elections in the country, Harish Salve said that some minor amendments in the constitution and legislative changes in the election law will be required to implement this big ticket electoral reform and once that is done then the synchronisation will be achieved.

When asked will the government would need at least two-third majority in the Parliament to pass the bill, Harish Salve said that yes, the government will require two-third majority in the parliament. 

When asked will the government be able to achieve this, Salve said that he suppose they will be able to use the logic of the panel's report.

Harish Salve further said there is no doubt that this would need a nationwide debate.

On being asked can this be challenged in the courts, Harish Salve said that yes, it can be challenged. Conducting simultaneous polls will have a positive impact on the GDP and quantified.

Harish Salve, when asked whether the Uniform Civil Code is also in the pipeline, the senior advocate said he hopes so.

On being asked how big a challenge it's going to be for the government to implement ‘one nation, one election’, Harish Salve said that if you want to find a solution then you can and we have found the solution.

BJP , allies welcome ‘one nation one election’ move

The ruling NDA on Wednesday welcomed the government's nod to a high-level committee's recommendations for simultaneous elections, with several BJP leaders lauding the decision as another example of Prime Minister Narendra Modi doing what he promises.

Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told reporters that the Union Cabinet headed by Modi accepted the recommendations of the committee headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind, asserting that its implementation will boost development and save public money.

With the government formally moving on one of its more ambitious agenda items for this term, it will be keenly watched as to how much progress the proposal makes in the face of stiff protest from opposition parties, which have enough numbers in Parliament to stall any constitutional amendment bill.

The government will need to get Parliament's approval to the constitutional amendment bill for bringing to fruition simultaneous Lok Sabha, assembly and local body polls. Vaishnaw said the government will work to evolve consensus on the contentious issue.

BJP president JP Nadda said the decision aims to streamline the electoral process and ensure better governance.