The central government is working towards evolving a broad consensus on the proposal of holding the Parliament and Assembly elections on the same day, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu said on Tuesday. He added the government was in favour of the proposal and if it is implemented, it will help "reduce expenditure and diversion of energies", reported PTI.

Addressing journalists at the Indian Women's Press Corps, Naidu said, "People want and I also personally strongly feel that Parliament and Assembly elections should be held on the same day. Within that one week, local body elections including cooperative elections should be held. All elections should be completed within a fortnight so that there is time and focus and attention on developmental issues."

Naidu also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to take the proposal forward by talking to political parties, adding that it "cannot be done by a simple legislation".