Shimla: Parties not understanding voter sentiment will perish, says JPC chief

PP Choudhary, chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on ‘one nation- one election’ proposal, today said that political parties which will not understand the electorate sentiment in favour of this proposal will be shown the door by the people.

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“Democracy is the will of the people and political parties, which will not understand this, will perish. It is not important what leaders think but is important to understand the pulse of the electorate,” he said. On this issue, the political parties which oppose this proposal and underestimate the voter’s understanding will be rejected by the electorate, he added.

Choudhary said there is no permanency in politics and the political parties could change their stance as per the wishes of the electorate. “I am quite confident that consensus will emerge and the Bill will be passed,” he said.

He said political parties, be these regional or national, will express their own viewpoint. “However they will have to see what the public or civil society wants. Like in Punjab, civil society and eminent people supported one nation-one election proposal in one voice,” he said.

Choudhary said in a state like Himachal, several booths are located in far-flung areas. “We have seen that the teachers are engaged in the process of preparing the electoral list for the Assembly, Lok Sabha and panchayat elections. It is the students studying in government schools, especially in remote areas, who are the worst sufferers,” said Choudhary.

He said various political parties were deliberating on the issue of holding simultaneous elections in the country as the debate on the pros and cons of this proposal were being discussed. He pointed out that there were several reports, including the one by the Law Commission of India and the Niti Ayog in support of this proposal but consultations must be held with all stakeholders and their viewpoint must be taken into consideration.

He said deliberations are being held with all political parties and every section of society. “Whatever decision the party will take will be in the interest of the nation,” he assured.

Responding to a query that how will there be consensus on the issue, he said two third majority is required for the Bill to be passed. “However, I am confident that an atmosphere of consensus will emerge in the country in the next two years in favour of this proposal, forcing political parties not to oppose it,” he stated.