A Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) constituted to examine the proposal of “One Nation, One Election” has begun a multi-state consultation process, with its latest visit scheduled in Gujarat. The 39-member committee, which includes leaders from various political parties such as Priyanka Gandhi, Sambit Patra and Bansuri Swaraj, will spend three days interacting with political stakeholders and government officials in the state.

The committee’s visit marks an important phase in the ongoing national discussion around simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. On Tuesday, members of the JPC are expected to meet Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel along with senior state officials to gather feedback on the proposed electoral reform. The panel is also set to hold its first press briefing in Gujarat at GIFT City in Gandhinagar at 5:30 PM, where members are likely to outline the objectives of the consultation process and the roadmap ahead.

According to the schedule, the committee has also invited all political parties to present their views on the issue during a dedicated consultation session in Gandhinagar on 20 May 2026. The JPC aims to compile inputs from political parties, administrative bodies, and experts before preparing its final recommendations for Parliament. The committee is chaired by senior advocate and MP P. P. Chaudhary and comprises 27 Lok Sabha MPs and 12 Rajya Sabha MPs representing a wide political spectrum. The ongoing consultations are part of a structured effort to evaluate the feasibility, challenges, and benefits of conducting simultaneous elections across the country.

Political reactions in Gujarat have reflected the broader national divide on the issue. The Bharatiya Janata Party has strongly supported the idea, arguing that simultaneous elections would improve governance efficiency, reduce administrative burden, and cut election-related expenditure. BJP spokesperson Anil Patel stated that the party fully backs the concept of One Nation, One Election.

On the other hand, the Congress party has maintained that it will present its concerns before the committee. Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said that the issue is closely linked to democratic rights and federal structure, and therefore requires careful scrutiny and wide consultation before any implementation. The idea of simultaneous elections is not new in India. In the early years after independence, elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies were held together in 1952, 1957, 1962, and 1967. However, this cycle was disrupted due to premature dissolution of several state assemblies and later the Lok Sabha, leading to the current staggered electoral system.

In recent years, the proposal has gained renewed attention, especially after the formation of a high-level committee under former President Ram Nath Kovind in September 2023. That committee conducted extensive consultations and submitted its report after nearly 191 days of research, recommending structural reforms for implementing simultaneous elections. Supporters of the proposal argue that it could bring several benefits. These include improved governance continuity, reduced disruption caused by the Model Code of Conduct, lower administrative burden on security forces and officials, and significant cost savings for both the government and political parties.

Data cited in support of the proposal suggests that India experienced the Model Code of Conduct for approximately 676 days between 2019 and 2024, averaging nearly 113 days per year. Additionally, the 2024 general elections alone reportedly involved massive expenditures running into substantial public and private costs. However, critics of the proposal have raised concerns regarding its impact on federalism, logistical complexity, and the constitutional changes required to implement such a system. They argue that synchronising elections across a diverse and large democracy like India would require significant restructuring and consensus among all political stakeholders.

The Gujarat visit is part of a broader outreach programme, with earlier consultations conducted in Maharashtra and Uttarakhand. In Maharashtra, the committee interacted with state leadership, administrative officials, public sector representatives, and regulatory bodies to assess the administrative impact of simultaneous elections. In Uttarakhand, discussions focused on governance interruptions due to frequent elections and the potential for cost savings in hilly regions.

The committee is expected to compile all inputs and present its final report during the last week of the 2026 Monsoon Session of Parliament. While the exact date of submission has not been officially announced, the findings will play a crucial role in shaping future parliamentary debate on the issue. As the JPC continues its nationwide consultations, the debate over “One Nation, One Election” remains one of the most significant electoral reform discussions in India, with strong arguments on both sides regarding efficiency, democracy, and federal balance.

India bids to host 2038 Asian Games in Ahmedabad; OCA team to visit

India formally proposes Ahmedabad as the host city for the 2038 Asian Games, with the Olympic Council of Asia set to conduct a feasibility recce soon.

India has formally submitted a proposal to host the 2038 Asian Games, earmarking Ahmedabad as the primary host city. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) presented the vision during the Executive Board meeting of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) held in Sanya, China, on Thursday.

The continental governing body has acknowledged India's interest and confirmed that an evaluation team will visit the country shortly. This technical committee will assess the existing infrastructure and the rapid development currently underway in Gujarat’s capital. The move aligns with India's broader strategy to establish itself as a global sporting superpower.

Multi-nation race for 2038

India is not alone in its pursuit of the 2038 slot. According to officials, South Korea and Mongolia have also expressed formal interest in hosting the event. The OCA board discussed these preliminary proposals in Sanya, noting that the competition for the games will be rigorous given the long-term infrastructure commitments required.

The 2026 edition is slated for Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, followed by Doha in 2030 and Riyadh in 2034. By targeting 2038, India aims to secure the next available window in the continental calendar, reinforcing its recent successful bid for the 2030 Centenary Commonwealth Games.

Ahmedabad as sports epicenter

The Gujarat government has already fast-tracked the construction of world-class facilities to support this ambitious bid. Central to this plan is the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave. This massive complex, spread over 355 acres, is designed to house an aquatics center, a tennis hub, and multiple indoor arenas.

Further infrastructure is being developed at the Karai Sports Hub in Gandhinagar. This 143-acre site will feature a dedicated athletics stadium and a high-tech shooting complex. These projects are intended to serve a dual purpose, supporting both the 2038 Asian Games and India’s ongoing pitch for the 2036 Olympic Games.

Return after five decades

If successful, the 2038 Games would mark the return of the "Asiad" to Indian soil after a gap of 56 years. India famously hosted the inaugural Asian Games in 1951 and the 1982 edition, both of which were centered in New Delhi. This would be the first time the event is hosted outside the national capital.

"We have shared our vision for 2038 with the OCA leadership," an IOA statement confirmed. The meeting, attended by IOA President PT Usha and OCA chief Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, focused on athlete pathways and regional collaboration alongside the formal hosting pitch.

Strategic infrastructure cost benefits

Sports ministry sources indicated that hosting the 2038 Asian Games is a "logical and cost-effective" step. Since Ahmedabad will already have completed its infrastructure for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and potentially the 2036 Olympics, the marginal cost for the Asian Games would be significantly lower.

By reusing existing world-class venues, India hopes to avoid the "white elephant" syndrome often associated with large-scale sporting events. The integrated urban development plan for Ahmedabad includes multimodal transport hubs and athlete villages that can be repurposed for residential use post-games.

Evaluation team’s upcoming visit

The upcoming OCA recce is expected to focus on technical specifications, including broadcast capabilities, transport logistics, and hotel inventory. The evaluation team will also review the "Sports City" draft budget, which has seen record allocations from the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation this year.

"The visit will be a critical milestone," said a senior official from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. "It allows us to demonstrate that our timelines for the 2030 and 2036 projects are on track, making 2038 a seamless transition for the continental body."

Long-term sporting roadmap

This latest development is part of a larger "India News Update" regarding the country’s 10-year mission to boost its Olympic profile. Beyond the Asian Games, India has already secured the hosting rights for the 2028 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Bhubaneswar.

The 2038 Asian Games bid is viewed as the final piece of the puzzle in India's decade of dominance in sports administration. As the nation awaits the OCA's feedback, the focus remains on the rapid execution of ground-level projects in Ahmedabad to ensure the city is "Games-ready" well ahead of schedule.

Modi Sets Record as Longest-Serving Head of Government

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has created a new record, becoming the longest-serving head of government in India. His combined tenure as the Chief Minister of Gujarat and the Prime Minister now stands at 8,931 days, surpassing the previous record held by former Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling.

With this milestone, Mr. Modi has solidified his position in the political history of the country. The data, compiled by government sources, confirms that he overtook Mr. Chamling’s record of 8,930 days as head of an elected government on Saturday.

Combined Tenure Sets New Benchmark

The Prime Minister’s journey to this record spans over two decades. He first took oath as the Chief Minister of Gujarat on October 7, 2001. After serving in that capacity for over 14 years, he became the Prime Minister for the first time on May 26, 2014.

This combined tally of 8,931 days includes his four terms as Gujarat CM and his current third term as Prime Minister. Officials noted that Mr. Modi is one of the few Indian politicians to have held the top executive post in both a state and the country for such an extended period.

Surpassing Chamling and Basu

The previous record holder, Pawan Kumar Chamling, served as the Chief Minister of Sikkim from December 12, 1994, to May 26, 2019. His uninterrupted tenure of roughly 24 years and 165 days had previously broken the long-standing record of veteran Left leader Jyoti Basu, who was the Chief Minister of West Bengal for 23 years.

As per reports, Mr. Modi had already surpassed the records of several national leaders earlier in his tenure. In 2025, he crossed the total days served by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Second Longest-Serving Prime Minister

As of March 22, 2026, the Prime Minister has completed 4,318 days in office at the Centre. This places him as the second longest-serving Prime Minister in the country’s history, behind India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.

Nehru held the office for a continuous 6,126 days, from Independence in 1947 until his death in 1964. To break that record, Mr. Modi will need to remain in office beyond the next general elections scheduled for 2029.

Political Significance and Impact

Political analysts view this milestone as a testament to Mr. Modi’s enduring popularity and the BJP’s organisational strength. Having first joined the RSS at the age of eight and later rising through the ranks, his career is marked by a continuous streak of electoral victories, both in Gujarat and nationally.

The milestone arrives at a time when the government is focusing on its third-term agenda. According to sources, the record is likely to be a focal point for the party as it looks to consolidate support ahead of upcoming state assembly polls.

What Next for the PM?

With the current record for the longest-serving head of government secured, the focus now shifts to whether Mr. Modi can surpass Jawaharlal Nehru’s record for the longest continuous tenure as Prime Minister. To achieve that, his government would need to secure a fourth consecutive term in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

For now, the administration continues to function with an eye on the next electoral cycle. As per officials, the government is expected to double down on its infrastructure and welfare schemes to maintain the political momentum that has defined Mr. Modi’s tenure so far.