MyVoice: Views of our readers 28th November 2020

Modi's 'one nation, one poll's idea' worth considering

The Prime Minister is the well- known votary for the idea of one nation and one poll. The idea itself is worth contemplating and deserves in depth examination. If the nation goes to poll mode repeatedly in one state or other, the attention may be diverted from its serious business. The costs for preparations may be more. But the process makes the party in power to keep informed and responsive with people's concerns and makes the opposition to live with hope. Thus both camps will try to be friendlier with masses. Whatever the process may be, free and fair elections should be ensured. There are umpteen lacunae present in existing system, right from voter registration. Lakhs of eligible voters could not exercise their right in every election not to their fault. The anti-defection law has been turned a mockery, thanks to the overambitious parties. The poll reforms are more needed than mere poll scheduling now.

Dr D V G Sankararao, Nellimarla

BJP is contemplating to come to power pan India by creating some sort of wave and by polarising the votes on the basis of religion and this will be possible only when elections are conducted on a single day across the country (PM pitches for 1 Nation, 1 Poll, November 27). Government should go for conducting elections digitally if it wants to save money and time, besides checking malpractices in polls. So Modi's "one nation, one election" policy is to strengthen BJP and not in the interest of the nation.

Kshirasagara Balaji Rao, Hyderabad

The idea of "One nation one poll" is laudable what Narendra Modi says is correct and it is being debatable and we need to see the pros and cons of its implementation on the whole as PM has said rightly people are and political leaders are busy in every month in one election or other and the development certainly may be hindrance and the expenditure to have separate voter list for each states for municipal, state legislative and parliament elections are different and we need to focus on these issue . We need to change our mindset for the better prospectus of the country . The think tankers and eminent subject experts should debate it and should suggest the government what PM has floated . Let's hope we move with the changing face of the 21st century .

Kanagiri S N Prasad, Hyderabad

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has once again reiterated on the idea of "One nation, one election" formula and emphasised the need to introduce the formula to save time and money of the country. The Prime Minister said that "One nation, one election" is not a matter of debate only but is the need for the nation.

Elections being held in every season in different regions affects governance, consumes a big amount of money and manual work. Besides, smooth functioning of governance is not possible as planned and it hampers the developmental work . Modi has been reiterating the idea of "One nation, one election" since he first became Prime Minister in 2014. Though there may be some impediments in making this idea a reality once the doubts, differences and difficulties are sorted out the "One nation, one election" policy is definitely one that can give an impetus to the progress and development of the nation.

It would reduce the cost of holding elections, and limit all elections to a single season. Preparing separate lists, as it is done now, for different level of elections are a wastage of resources. A single list can avoid wasting time, money and manual power. Smooth governance at all levels will be possible and elected members and leaders can stay focussed on public welfare assignments, fulfill the promises made and make their developmental plans a reality.

M Pradyu, Kannur

The usual game of vote-mongering

A municipal election reaching a crescendo with each party coming out with a manifesto with freebies by completely sidelining pressing civic issues which need to be attended on priority is baffling. The BJP making big promise to change the face of old city, fiefdom of MIM, when nothing has changed since decades appears hollow with an eye on votes.

What is starkly contrasting than earlier polls is that BJP has brought national and state leaders belonging to other states to campaign leaving out prominent local leaders and promising youth who know the pulse of the city to highlight issues? This is utterly disgusting because the star campaigners of BJP from other states totally ignorant of local issues were only highlighting national issues while mocking at the functioning of state government.

As the polls nearing, the language employed by MIM and BJP is intimidating, it is increasingly clear that these parties playing to the raw emotions of people only appear to incite violence to polarise communities to garner votes than coming out with a plan and strategy to build a brand Hyderabad to show case to the world. To say the least, the manifesto released by BJP is nothing new with more or less a replica of promises made by other parties in the poll fray and adding a few more to make it appear a novel initiative in a bid to woo voters.

Thus, it is obviously clear that major parties have made big and enticing promises in their manifestos only to win the polls by hook or crook in the midst of motor mouths throwing fresh challenges on issues neither related to polls nor bring succour to the sufferings of people of the city due to crumbling civic infrastructure, it is time all parties stick to only local issues and time-frame to improve it because any development cannot hinge on big promises and false hopes.

K R Srinivasan, Secunderabad