Union Cabinet Approves Simultaneous Polls Plan

• The Union Cabinet has approved the recommendations of a high-level committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind.
• The committee proposed simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies as the first step, followed by municipal and panchayat polls within 100 days of the general election.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the move as a step towards making democracy more vibrant and participatory.
• Home Minister Amit Shah praised the move as a step towards electoral reforms.
• Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the idea as “impractical” and against the Constitution and democracy.