Simultaneous Polls Proposal Sparks Political Confrontation

Masood’s primary objection centers on the volatile nature of state legislatures. He argues that if an assembly loses its majority before its term ends, the mechanism for holding mid-term polls would collapse under a unified system. For him, the logistical reality of India’s diverse political landscape makes the plan neither practical nor possible.

Contrasting this view, BJP MP Yogender Chandolia and Bihar Minister Ram Kripal Yadav framed the initiative as a necessary measure to curb excessive spending. Yadav emphasized that the current cycle of near-constant campaigning imposes an unsustainable burden on government resources. Supporting this, JPC Chairman PP Chaudhary asserted that the proposal, embodied in the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, respects federalism and state autonomy. Chaudhary noted that consultations with former Chief Justices of India largely favored the shift, suggesting that synchronizing election dates would save an estimated Rs 7-10 lakh crore, which could then be redirected toward education and youth development.