President not opposed to holding of parliament and assembly elections together

New Delhi: The clamour for the simultaneous parliament and state assembly elections which was demanded by a few political leaders in the past is likely to grow as the President Pranab Mukherjee has given a tacit support to it.

In reply to a question by a student in this regard on Monday, he asked leaders of different political parties to discuss the issue and some forward their opinion on the subject. Simultaneously, he called upon the Election Commission to apply its mind and take initiative in this regard.

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Mukherjee is the second important person at the top to toy with the idea of simultaneous election. On the independence day Prime Minister Narendra Modi had raised the issue and spoken in its favour.

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Election is a costly affair in the county in view of its large population. Holding parliamentary elections with state assembly elections will save expenditure. At present state elections are being held separately as their five-year terms are ending at different times.

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Election is held in one state of the order every year. This hinders development as before the election code of conduct comes into play and new schemes are held up.Neither is it good for the states nor the people, Mukherjee pointed out.

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