The high level committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind submitted the report running into nearly 2000 pages to President Draupadi Murmu on Thursday.

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The Kovind report stated that "simultaneous polls will spur development process and  social cohesion, deepen foundations of democratic rubric and help  realise the aspirations of India, that is Bharat".

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The panel recommended preparation of a common electoral roll and  voter ID cards by the Election Commission of India in consultation with state election authorities. The panel recommended several constitutional amendments, most of which will not need ratification by states.

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However, the concept of one-nation-one-poll was being viewed as a "direct assault" on federalism and independence of the state governments. Besides the erosion of the fabric of federalism, it was also being argued that by consolidating multiple electoral processes, the platforms for the expression of regional identities, concerns and policies could be sidelined and overshadowed.

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While the ruling dispensation felt that the frequent elections were "disruptive", others argued that the frequent elections serve a "crucial purpose  in upholding accountability."

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Hitting out at the report, Congress general secretary, Jairam Ramesh said-"The Prime Minister's objective is very clear. He is going around asking for a clear majority, two thirds majority - 400 seats. The cat is out of the bag."

The move could be politically advantageous to the BJP as it "hopes to cash in on the popularity" of the Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi. a saffron functionary pointed out. The functionary speaking on the condition of anonymity said that the BJP strategists were of the opinion that "rather than local ones, national issues will dominate in national elections. This would help BJP sway the elections in its favour."

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It was pointed out that BJP's campaign of "double engine ki sarkar" often failed miserably in state elections. If simultaneous elections were held, the focus "will remain on national issues."

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In the one-nation-one-poll, the state political outfits will not only struggle to focus on local issues but find it difficult to match the money power of the ruling dispensation at the Centre. Also there is no clarity on how to deal with mid-term polls, President's Rule and a hung House.

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According to the report, the high-level committee  had approached 62 parties out of which 47 responded. Of this 47, 32 supported simultaneous elections and 15 opposed it, while 15 parties did not respond. Some of the prominent political parties which opposed the move were Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and CPI(M).