Simultaneous polls: Not possible in a democracy like India

NT Correspondent Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Wednesday said simultaneous elections are not possible in a democracy like India. The state Congress President stressed on the need for "bringing in consensus and unanimity in opinion among all parties" in this regard. Moving ahead with its "one nation, one election" plan, the government on Wednesday accepted a highlevel panel's recommendations for holding simultaneous polls for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies and local bodies in a phased manner after a countrywide consensus- building exercise. "The 'one nation, one election' that they are planning to do, aimed at saving the government's money, is not possible in a democratic country like ours.

Who thought about 'Operational Lotus'? (toppling non-BJP governments by luring opposition MLAs), it is BJP. They are the ones who caused several elections. How can it (multiple elections) be stopped?" Shivakumar said. Speaking to reporters here, he alleged that the BJP is trying to destabilise several opposition-ruled State governments. "As regional parties are growing, they don't want them to grow, so they are making these efforts. All parties should give an equal opportunity in this country," Shivakumar added. In its report submitted to the government in March, just before the general election was announced, the panel headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind had recommended implementing "one nation, one election" in two phases.