Advani seeks fixed tenure for the House

BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate L K Advani today sought a fixed term for Lok Sabha and state Assemblies and wanted voting to be made compulsory with elections to be scheduled in the month of February. 

 "I suggest that political parties and the Election Commission should think over whether we can change the Constitution for a fixed tenure for Lok Sabha and Assemblies," 81-year-old Advani said after casting his vote here.  

"We are following the UK pattern which does not suit us and we should change it," he told reporters.  Advani's suggestion implies that even if the government of the day loses its majority in Lok Sabha, the House should not be dissolved and a new government should assume office.  

Pointing out the difficulties being faced during the summer months, Advani, who is seeking re-election from Gandhinagar, said "Polling percentage dips during the summer and elections should be held in February."  

The senior BJP leader also said voting should be made compulsory. "Political parties and the EC should discuss to make voting mandatory."  

He said the BJP will emerge as the single largest party and that the NDA will form the government at the Centre.  

Advani, alongwith with his wife, cast his vote in the morning.

"After visiting the entire country, I am hopeful that BJP will emerge as the single largest party and NDA will be the biggest alliance, Advani said.  

"I would like to give suggestions with regards to the elections in the country. First four Lok Sabha and assemblies elections between 1952 to 1967, were held together. But after that, with the dissolution of Parliament in 1971, Lok Sabha and Assembly polls were de-linked," he said.  

In the last few years, we have been having general election or a mini-general election in every two years, Advani said.  

"This situation is not good for governance. I want to give a suggestion which all political parties and Elections Commission should thinkover," Advani said.   

India is a federal state with not only Lok Sabha but also has 28 state legislative assemblies across the country, Advani said.   

There are many European paliamentary democarcies where the tenure of legislature is fix, he said.