LUCKNOW, July 15 -- The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) supported the 'One Nation, One Election' initiative in the meeting with the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) while opposition parties- the Samajwadi Party and the Congress-opposed the move. The BJP delegation comprising deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya, and ministers Suresh Khanna, Surya Pratap Shahi, Jaiveer Singh, Dharampal Singh and AK Sharma told the JPC that the proposed plan aims to synchronise elections for the Lok Sabha, state legislative assemblies and local bodies. Khanna said: "The state government presented detailed arguments in favour of the 'One Nation, One Election' before the committee. The implementation of the proposed system will significantly save time, money and administrative resources spent on frequent elections. Furthermore, human resources used in the electoral process can be utilised for more effective and productive work." The frequent enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct will also reduce the impact on development projects and administrative decisions. This will enable governments to work with greater consistency and effectiveness on public welfare schemes, he said. A better system should be adopted in national interest. The UP government's position on this issue has been clearly presented to the committee and this system will further strengthen the country's democratic system, Khanna added. Energy minister AK Sharma said: "It is a visionary initiative of PM Narendra Modi and should be implemented expeditiously in the national interest. Frequent elections hamper the pace of development; simultaneous elections will provide new impetus to the country's progress. It will reduce election expenditure and accelerate development work." Lal Bihari Yadav, SP leader and LoP in the legislative council, said the party opposed the initiative terming it against the democracy. "Regional parties contest election on local issues whereas national parties raise national issues. The Lok Sabha and assembly polls should be held separately. The ruling party is trying to misguide people stating that it will check burden on the state exchequer. The SP made it clear to the JPC that we are against the One Nation, One Election proposal," he said. UP Congress president Ajay Rai said the independent political identities of states, regional leadership and local mandates would be relegated to the background. Arguments such as reducing electoral expenditure, administrative convenience, or ensuring policy stability do not justify such a sweeping constitutional amendment. The Constitution is not a document of administrative convenience. Rather, it is a charter of democratic freedom and popular sovereignty. Proposed Article 82A (5) would fundamentally alter the constitutional nature of the Election Commission as well," he added....