Pawan Kalyan questions DMK's opposition to ‘One Nation, One Election'; recalls Karunanidhi's support
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Monday (May 26, 2025) said Tamil Nadu isn't a stranger to the concept of 'One Nation, One Election' as it has experienced simultaneous elections from 1952 to 1967. He pointed out that former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, whose DMK is opposing the policy today, had insisted that simultaneous elections must continue in Tamil Nadu when the cycle was broken after 1967.
Speaking at a seminar on 'One Nation, One Election' in Chennai, Mr. Kalyan said simultaneous elections were not an untested theory; 'our country had successfully implemented it in its formative years,' and the policy is not just a political reform, but also economical, administrative, and governance reform.
'In the most difficult early decades, Bharat demonstrated remarkable unity and administrative capability by holding synchronised elections for two decades. Today, whoever is opposing 'One Nation One Election' should read Kalaignar Karunanidhi's argument in favour of simultaneous elections in 'Nenjukku Needhi'. He urged the Centre to constitute a committee to restore simultaneous elections. That's what is being done today. National leadership is implementing the vision and dreams of Kalaignar Karunanidhi. It is strange that Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin is opposing what his father proposed,' he said.
Mr. Kalyan said there is wastage of public funds, loss of man-days and focus, and constant mudslinging by various political parties.
'Development is taking a backseat. If young and resource-constrained India could achieve a system akin to 'One Nation, One Election', then what is preventing a strong, technologically advanced Bharat from achieving it now? Ruling parties are constantly strategising for the next election – formulating populist measures and deploying leaders for campaigns... this can sometimes lead to policy decisions being influenced by electoral considerations rather than genuine needs of the people,' he said.
Mr. Kalyan said the argument that such a policy would benefit the national parties instead of regional parties, considering the examples of Odisha in 2019 and 2024 and Telangana, doesn't have any strength.
'In 2019, people of Odisha opted for a regional party in the State and the BJP in Parliament. The DMK and INDI Alliance argue that it is anti-federal. If it is so, why did Kalaignar Karunanidhi support it? I only request CM Stalin to revisit and consider its potential,' he said.
Meeting reporters after the event, Mr. Kalyan said people are smart and they know how to vote. He added he doesn't want to underestimate actor Vijay and his entry into politics.
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