“One nation, one election will ensure political stability and accelerate development: CM Yogi”

Lucknow : Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasized that while it is the democratic right of citizens to elect their representatives, frequent elections place an undue burden on the public. He noted that repeated polls foster political instability, hinder the country’s development trajectory, and encourage corruption in public life.

Political instability, he said, stands in the way of achieving the vision of a sovereign, strong, and developed India. Frequent elections negatively impact the GDP of the nation and individual states, disrupt the continuity of development schemes, and weaken public faith in the democratic process.

CM Yogi was speaking at a state-level conference at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in Lucknow on Monday. Representatives of various social and voluntary organisations organised the conference under the ‘One Nation, One Election’ campaign.

The Chief Minister lunderscored the need to realize Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘One Nation, One Election’, first articulated in 2019 during the unveiling of the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He added that the idea had also been championed by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who believed that political stability is the foundation for good governance, national security, and sustainable development.

CM Yogi recalled that between 1952 and 1967, Lok Sabha and state assembly elections were held simultaneously. However, this practice was disrupted following internal conflicts within the Congress party, leading to the dissolution of governments, the imposition of the President’s Rule, and a period of prolonged instability. Though the issue resurfaced in the 1980s, it failed to gain momentum.

He noted that today, a serious effort is underway to implement simultaneous elections by 2034, guided by the committee’s recommendations chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind and backed by growing public awareness. CM Yogi remarked that synchronizing election cycles by adjusting assembly tenures could unlock Rs 3.5 to 4.5 lakh crore annually, which could be redirected toward development initiatives.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a strong attack on the opposition, particularly drawing attention to the situation in Uttar Pradesh prior to 2017. He said that parallel administrations operated in every district before his government came to power, disregarding law, order, and constitutional norms. The unchecked looting of resources and dominance of mafia elements had become the norm. This instability, he pointed out, had pushed Uttar Pradesh down to the seventh position in terms of economic standing, despite being at par with the national average in 1947.

CM Yogi stated that the reign of mafia and lawlessness stalled development and created a deep identity crisis for the state.

Extending this argument to the national level, CM Yogi remarked that before 2014, the country was also plagued by political instability, which eroded public trust and national identity.

However, he emphasized that India is now the fifth-largest economy in the world, and Uttar Pradesh has seen remarkable growth over the past eight years—an achievement made possible by political stability. Branding mafia elements and those promoting anarchy as “anti-democratic,” he said such forces continuously exploit frequent elections for their own gain.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the grand success of Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj, calling it a shining symbol of India’s ancient heritage that captivated the world. With more than 66 crore devotees in attendance, he described it as the “greatest festival of democracy.”

In contrast, he criticized past governments for their negligence, citing the mismanagement and chaos during the 2007 and 2013 events. CM Yogi noted that people from across the country—from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Arunachal Pradesh to Manipur, Jammu & Kashmir, and Uttarakhand—participated in the holy event, many even arriving on foot to bathe at the Triveni Sangam. He said the public responded with unwavering faith and participation despite the opposition’s propaganda.

Appealing to citizens to raise awareness about the ‘One Nation, One Election’ initiative, CM Yogi urged people to counter opposition misinformation with facts. “This nation is ours, development is ours, and political stability is our collective need,” he said.

He emphasized the importance of amplifying this message on social media. He reiterated that frequent elections cost the public an estimated Rs 3.5 to 4.5 lakh crore—funds that could instead be invested in development. He concluded that the goal is to implement simultaneous elections by 2034 through tenure adjustments and eliminating mid-term polls.