Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday advocated ‘One Nation, One Election’ system and a single voters’ list, saying that elections taking place every few months hinders development. Addressing the concluding session of the 80th All India Presiding Officers Conference here via video conference, Modi also paid homage to the victims of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, and asserted that India is fighting terrorism now with new policy and new process.

On 26 November, 2008, ten Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists from Pakistan killed 166 people, including 18 security personnel, in a 60hour siege in Mumbai.

Making a strong pitch for simultaneous elections on the Constitution Day, Modi said that ‘One Nation, One Election’ was not “just an issue of deliberation, but also the need of the country”.

“Elections are held at different places every few months and it hampers the developmental work and all of you know it. Therefore, it is must to have deep study and deliberation on ‘One Nation, One Election’,” he said. He also said that having a single voters’ list was desirable.

“Only one voters’ list should be used for Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha and other elections. Why are we wasting time and money on these lists?” he said.

He also emphasised the need for coordination between three wings of the state~ Legislature, Executive and Judiciary ~ and said everything from these institutes’ roles to their decorum is described in the Constitution.

“In the 1970s, we saw how there was an attempt to breach the dignity of separation of power, but the country got the answer only from the Constitution. After that period of Emergency, the system of checks and balances became stronger and stronger.

“The Legislature, Executive and Judiciary, all three learned a lot from that period and moved forward,” the Prime Minister said.

National interest should form the basis of every decision, Modi said. “We must remember that when politics take over people and nation-first policies, the nation has to pay adversely in such situations,” he added. He cited the example of delay in the completion of the Sardar Sarovar Dam, saying it kept lingering, and was completed after years.

“This could have happened earlier if development was given precedence. Those who stalled it, have no repentance,” he said in a clear attack on the Congress.

Underlining that there is no place for politics of untouchability, Modi cited the example of the Statue of Unity built by his government for Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel despite Patel not being from the BJP or the Jana Sangh.

Constitution is our guiding light to take on challenges in the 21st century, Modi said and called for raising awareness about it.

“Our Constitution has many features but one very special feature is the importance given to duties. Mahatma Gandhi was very keen about this. He saw a close link between rights and duties. He felt that once we perform our duties, rights will automatically be safeguarded,” Modi said.

He also referred to the practice of KYC (know your customer) in the corporate world and said there should be a similar KYC drive in the form of Know Your Constitution to popularise the Constitution and its different features.

Recalling the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, PM Modi said it was the biggest terror attack on the country. “Today’s date is associated with the biggest terror attack on the country. On this date in 2008, terrorists sent from Pakistan had attacked Mumbai,” he said.

“Many people died in that terror attack, and people of many nationalities were the victims. I pay my homage to all. I bow down to the security personnel who lost their lives in the attack.”

He also recalled the sacrifices made by police personnel while saving innocent lives in the carnage. “India can never forget the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack and is now fighting terrorism with ‘nai neeti aur reeti’ (new policy and new process),” he said.

The All India Presiding Officers Conference began in 1921, and the Gujarat event marks its centenary year.

The theme for this year’s conference is ‘Harmonious Coordination between Legislature, Executive and Judiciary~ Key to a Vibrant Democracy.’

~With inputs from PTI~