Thiruma backs BJP’s ‘one nation, one election’ policy, says it will save money

VCK leader Thol Tirumavalavan on Monday welcomed the BJP’s proposal, which envisages holding elections to all State Assemblies and Lok Sabha together.

Responding to a media query to this effect at the city airport, Thirumavalavan said, “I do not know if it would be feasible to hold elections to the State Assemblies and Parliament together. If that happens, it would be good. It would save lot of money and time for the Election Commission.”

“Elections are held at different times for states. I do not know how far that can be streamlined?” Thirumavalavan added, even as his allies are steadfast in opposing the policy mooted and debated by the ruling BJP.

Curiously, even the Janata Dal (United) of Nitish Kumar, who is an ally of the BJP, was opposed to the policy, as was the Congress and other parties in the Opposition. In Tamil Nadu, all allies of VCK, especially the DMK was not favourably disposed to holding simultaneous elections.

The VCK leader’s statement comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited heads of all parties in the Parliament to a meeting on June 19 to discuss the “one nation, one election” policy.