New India is fearless under Modi: BJP MP in Varanasi

Varanasi: Condemning strongly the Pahalgam terror attack, Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj said Narendra Modi's new India was fearless and would not be defeated by terrorist forces. "Modi's new India faces any challenge with determination, gives a fitting response and makes decisions in national interest," she said.

Swaraj was in Varanasi on Thursday to attend a women's conference on ‘One Nation, One Election' organised at Arya Mahila College. Before her address, a two-minute silence was observed to pay tribute to victims of the Pahalgam attack. "The two-minute silence observed was not just a tribute but a pledge that we will neither fear, nor forget or forgive," she said.

She added that she was not there to fulfil her duties as MP or engage in politics but to discuss a very important topic. "One Nation, One Election is a policy, an idea, a solution. By freeing country from repeated election process, we will conduct Lok Sabha and Assembly elections simultaneously and only once," she said. Highlighting benefits of One Nation, One Election, she said heavy expenditure on frequent elections (about 1.5% of GDP) would be reduced, allowing better utilisation of resources. She added that burden on administration and security forces due to continuous elections would decrease, allowing them to focus on other important tasks. Long-term policy decisions would remain consistent as govts would not be in constant election mode. Holding elections together would reduce voter confusion and could increase voter turnout. The political instability and excessive focus on regional issues caused by frequent elections would decrease, prioritising national interests. Leaders and govts would focus more on development work rather than election campaigning. These benefits could contribute to making the country's democratic and administrative system more effective and efficient, she said. "Our resolve is a developed India, for which govt, is bringing new welfare schemes," she said.

She urged women to pledge to always stand together in the nation's interest and support One Nation, One Election. "We will contribute to strengthening the democracy not only through voting but also by exchanging ideas and engaging in dialogue to make this democracy deeper and stronger." She urged them to take a third pledge to become the flagbearers of One Nation, One Election ideology and spread it to every home.