Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Saturday reaffirmed the Centre’s resolve to implement ‘One Nation, One Election,’ calling it a move in the national interest. Speaking at an event in Jaipur, Meghwal noted that simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly polls were successfully held in 1952, 1957, 1962, and 1967, offering historical precedent.

“The Election Commission, NITI Aayog, and a high-level committee under former President Ram Nath Kovind endorsed this policy. The Cabinet approved it thereafter,” he said, underlining broad institutional support.

Meghwal highlighted that two related bills—one amending the Constitution—have been introduced in the Lok Sabha and are under review by a 39-member parliamentary panel. He added that consultations with social organizations are ongoing to build consensus. The initiative, a long-standing BJP promise, aims to streamline India’s electoral process, reduce costs, and minimize governance disruptions caused by frequent elections.

At the same event, where he inaugurated the third academic block of a private university, Meghwal also praised the three new criminal laws—effective since July 2024—for embedding spiritual and moral values into the justice system. He emphasized the role of value-based education in shaping ethical citizens, a theme echoed by Rajasthan High Court Justice Anil Kumar Upman, who spoke on legal education’s importance in upholding justice.

The push for simultaneous elections has sparked debate, with supporters citing efficiency and critics warning of logistical challenges and threats to federalism. Meghwal’s remarks signal the Centre’s determination to press forward, leveraging both historical and expert backing. Jaipur MP Manju Sharma, Bagru MLA Kailash Verma, and other dignitaries attended, underscoring the policy’s prominence in Rajasthan’s political discourse.