Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bid to build consensus on holding simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections drew support from an unexpected quarter. Naveen Patnaik, the Chief Minister of Odisha and president of Biju Janata Dal (BJD), has backed the PM's initiative. Patnaik said the recurring elections for Parliament, Assembly, and civic bodies, along with the legislative and parliamentary bypolls, cause a hindrance to the governance in the state, as well as the Centre. To avoid the tiring electioneering process, the four-time CM said simultaneous polls would be a viable option. "Elections are essential in a democracy. We are voted in to work for the people but having elections throughout the year disturbs the working process for the people. Therefore, we support PM's appeal for simultaneous elections," Patnaik added. While addressing a joint session of the Parliament ahead of the Budget Session, Modi had pitched for holding simultaneous elections in states along with the Centre in order to ensure smooth functioning of the government. The move, however, will be enacted only after consensus is reached by all political parties and incumbent state governments, he said.
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