One Nation One Election: BJP Unveils UP Campaign Schedule, Focus On Youth

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday formulated a detailed plan to intensify its 'One Nation, One Election' campaign in Uttar Pradesh, with a specific focus on engaging students and youth.

The strategy was developed in a meeting attended by key party figures, including State General Secretary (Organisation) Dharmpal Singh, the campaign committee's state co-convenor and MLC Anup Gupta, and State Minister Shiv Bhushan Singh. The plan outlines various programs and campaigns designed to connect with young people at universities, colleges, and other higher education institutions across the state.

Speaking at the BJP state headquarters, Dharmpal Singh argued that 'One Nation, One Election' is essential for India's progress. "The time has come to free our democracy from the shackles of unnecessary expenditure, frequent elections and political instability," he said. He emphasised that simultaneous elections are the "need of the hour" to ensure continuity in economic policies and to boost trade and employment.

Dharmpal Singh noted that Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections were held concurrently in India until 1967, a cycle that was later disrupted by political instability and the premature fall of governments. He stressed the need to build public consensus for this reform, stating, "We need to engage with a broad spectrum of youth by reaching out to universities, colleges, coaching centres, libraries and even sports grounds to raise awareness about this important subject."

The meeting finalised a schedule for a series of student and youth conferences:

Late in August: A state-level student leaders' conference will be held in Lucknow.

September 2-3: A regional conference for the Kashi and Gorakhpur regions.

September 4-5: A regional conference for the West and Braj regions.

September 6-7: A regional conference for the Kanpur and Awadh regions.

September 10-30: 'Youth for One Nation, One Election' conferences will be organised in all major cities across the state.

Anup Gupta, the campaign's state co-convenor, reported that previous events in Uttar Pradesh have already received widespread public support. He urged campaign members to actively engage with various sections of society to explain the national importance of 'One Nation, One Election'.