1. At least 30 people were injured in a head-on collision between two passenger buses in Assam’s Kamrup district.
2. The buses involved were en route to Guwahati (AS-01LC-9478) and Goalpara (AS-01KC-9799).
3. Both bus drivers sustained critical injuries, with passengers rushed to hospitals for treatment.
New Delhi, Sep 18: In a significant move towards the implementation of simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal.
According to sources, a bill for conducting simultaneous elections is expected to be introduced in the upcoming winter session of Parliament.
The decision follows a report submitted by a high-level committee chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the implementation of One Nation One Poll would occur in two phases, with extensive consultations planned.
The Modi government had formed this panel to assess the feasibility of the initiative, which was a key promise in the BJP’s election manifesto.
Also Read: Assam: Massive Blaze in Guwahati’s Kalapahar Triggered by Cylinder Explosions
The panel presented its 18,626-page report earlier this year, advocating simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies as a priority. This process requires no state approval for constitutional amendments.
The next phase would synchronize elections to municipalities and panchayats with state and national polls, although this step would need ratification by at least half of the states. To bring One Nation, One Election to reality, the committee suggested 18 constitutional amendments.
In recent weeks, the BJP has ramped up its push for One Nation One Election, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi referring to it as the “need of the hour” in his Independence Day speech. He argued that frequent elections are obstructing national progress.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also asserted that the initiative would be implemented within the current NDA tenure.
Opposition parties, including Congress, AAP, and Shiv Sena (UBT), have opposed the move, claiming it would favor the ruling party.
However, NDA allies like JD(U) and Chirag Paswan’s party have expressed their support.
