Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik favours 'One Nation-One Poll' reform amid PM-chaired all-party meeting, says 'BJD will support it'

Prime Minister Modi on Sunday held an all-party meeting and discussed key issues including the way ahead for the One Nation One election theory and preparation for the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

In a major development after the meeting, Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik has supported the idea of One Nation One election. 

Speaking to media about the discussions in the meeting with the Prime Minister, the Biju Janta Dal chief said:

"Our party is supporting the idea of One Nation One election. We also discussed the celebration for the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. We proposed that non-violence should be included in the preamble of the country."

Prime Minister Modi has frequently spoken in favor of 'one nation-one poll', which has been pitched by the government ever since coming to power. He stated that it is the need of the hour due to various issues.

"In India, elections take place almost every six months, hence I say that we should have Lok Sabha and state elections at the very same time. One election in every five years, isn't this what should happen? Shouldn't the expenditure be cut or not?," he said in his Agra rally in January.

A day before the first Parliament session of the 17th Lok Sabha, another all-party meeting had been held at the Parliament on Sunday.

READ: PM Modi To Hold All-party Leaders' Meet Over 'One Nation-One Poll', Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Mayawati, KCR, Stalin & Kejriwal To Give It A Miss

India's first four elections, beginning in the year of 1952 to 1970, i.e. 1952, 1957, 1962 and 1967, were actually 'One Nation, One Election' before the fourth Lok Sabha had to be dissolved prematurely.

On Sunday, in the all-party meeting, a day ahead of the beginning of the Budget session of Parliament in which crucial Bills are likely to be tabled, Prime Minister urged all leaders to keep political differences aside and not to disrupt the functioning of the Parliament.

"We are for the people. We cannot win hearts by disrupting the functioning of the Parliament. All parties must keep political differences aside and commit themselves to tirelessly work in the direction of the nation's progress," said PM Modi, who chaired the all-party meeting.

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