One Nation One Election could boost India’s GDP by ₹4.5 lakh crore, says Annamalai citing Kovind report

A thought-provoking seminar on the idea of ‘One Nation, One Election’ (ONOE) was held at the IISc auditorium in Mattikere, Bengaluru. The event featured key political voices and social thinkers, including former Tamil Nadu BJP president and ex-IPS officer K. Annamalai, and social activist Tejaswini Ananth Kumar.

Also Read: Ram Nath Kovind-led panel presents report in favour of ‘One Nation: One Election’

Tejaswini Ananth Kumar opened the discussion by linking ONOE to India’s core values, highlighting concepts such as ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ and the drive toward national integration through reforms like GST and Article 370 abrogation. She emphasized that synchronised elections could contribute to political stability and a focused governance model.

K. Annamalai, who has been a vocal supporter of ONOE, presented economic perspectives during the discussion. Citing the Ramnath Kovind Committee’s interim findings, Annamalai claimed that implementing simultaneous elections could boost India’s GDP by 1.5%, equivalent to ₹4.5 lakh crore. He argued that the move would reduce election-related costs and administrative burden, enabling more effective public service delivery.

The seminar, held in the academic backdrop of IISc, served as a platform to engage students, researchers, and political observers on the implications of ONOE for India’s democracy and economy. The topic continues to stir nationwide debates as the central government considers the feasibility of the reform.