New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a Meeting of Party Presidents of all political parties having representation in Parliament, here in New Delhi on Wednesday. A total of 21 Party Presidents attended the meeting. "Most parties which attended the meeting chaired by Modi had assured support to the proposal of simultaneous polls, Cabinet minister Rajnath Singh told media after the meeting was over. "We had invited 40 political parties out of which presidents of 21 parties participated three other parties sent their opinion on the subjects in writing," he added.

"We had invited 40 political parties out of which presidents of 21 parties participated three other parties sent their opinion on the subjects in writing, most parties which attended the meeting chaired by Modi had assured support to the proposal of simultaneous polls"

Several parties supported the proposal for simultaneous conduct of elections. While some of them were also of the view that all aspects of this proposal need to be examined carefully. Mumbai Congress president Milind Deora, who represented Congress in the meeting said the house needs to debate the issue one 'One nation One election'. There is no doubt that this idea is an "important and valuable reform", but the final decision should come on it by taking all political parties on board and seeking opinions of the intelligentsia, organisations working for electoral reforms and students, he added.

PM announces a committee

Odisha CM and Biju Janta Dal president Naveen Patnaik extended full support for the idea saying frequent polls affect the pace of development. "Frequent elections affect the pace of development and also rock the spirit of cooperative federalism. The BJD will fully support the idea of 'one nation, one election'," Patnaik said. PM Modi noted that 'One nation One election' is not a single party’s agenda, but it is an issue of national importance and the views of all parties would be considered and given due importance. Modi announced that a committee will be formed to go examine the issue of ‘One Nation, One Election’ threadbare and come up with suggestions in a time-bound manner.

Mamta-Kejriwal-Mayawati-KCR Stayed away

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, BSP president Mayawati, Aam Aadmi Party president and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Telangana Rashtra Samithi's K Chandrashekar Rao were among the top leaders who stayed away from the meeting.