'One Nation, One Election' only after 2030: Nirmala Sitharaman

New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday said that the Centre's proposed 'One Nation, One Election' (ONOE) initiative will be implemented only in or after 2030, dismissing the ongoing opposition to the idea as premature.

Speaking at a seminar hosted by SRM University in Chengalpet district, Tamil Nadu, Sitharaman highlighted the enormous cost of conducting separate elections, claiming that nearly ₹1 lakh crore was spent on the 2024 Lok Sabha polls alone. She argued that simultaneous elections could significantly reduce public expenditure and positively impact the economy.

“If simultaneous elections are held for Parliament and state assemblies, it would add nearly 1.5 per cent to the GDP. In value terms, this would translate to ₹4.5 lakh crore being added to the economy. This is a black-and-white example of the economic benefit of the 'One Nation, One Election' concept,” she said.

Sitharaman also accused certain political parties of running a “false campaign” against the initiative. She noted that while Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK leader M.K. Stalin currently opposes the ONOE proposal, his father and DMK patriarch M. Karunanidhi had supported the concept during his lifetime. Citing Karunanidhi’s autobiography 'Nenjukku Needhi', Sitharaman said he had expressed his support for holding simultaneous elections.

The Finance Minister further claimed that other regional parties such as the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) have extended their backing for the proposal.

Clarifying that ONOE is not a pet project of the government, Sitharaman said the idea has been under discussion for the past ten years. Emphasizing its national importance, she urged all political parties and citizens to support the move towards electoral synchronisation.

With PTI inputs