In a major move towards implementing simultaneous elections, the Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the "One Nation One Election" bill, which is set to be introduced in the ongoing winter session of Parliament. This initiative, which was a key promise in the BJP's Lok Sabha election manifesto, seeks to hold synchronized polls for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies.

Sources revealed that Home Minister Amit Shah briefed the Cabinet on the technical aspects of the bill, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged ministers to raise awareness about the benefits of simultaneous elections and explain the proposal to the public.

The decision follows the government's acceptance of recommendations from a high-level committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind. The panel suggested a phased approach to conducting simultaneous elections, starting with the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, followed by the synchronization of local body elections within 100 days of the general elections. However, this would require approval from at least half of the states.

Despite the government's push, the proposal has met with criticism from several opposition parties, including the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), who argue that the move could disproportionately benefit the ruling party. On the other hand, key allies of the NDA, such as Nitish Kumar's JD(U) and Chirag Paswan, have supported the idea.

To address concerns and build consensus, the bill will be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for further scrutiny. The views of state assembly speakers, experts, and civil society will also be solicited, along with public input.

Opposition leaders have strongly opposed the bill. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin called it "draconian," warning that it could undermine regional representation and erode federalism. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also expressed strong disapproval, vowing to resist the bill in Parliament.

The Kovind-led committee’s 18,626-page report recommends 18 constitutional amendments to facilitate the implementation of the One Nation One Election system. The proposal is expected to undergo extensive debate and scrutiny in the coming months.