Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday made a strong pitch for 'one nation, one election' and urged political parties to come forward to realise the dream while contending that frequent polls were creating hurdles in the country's progress

Addressing the nation on the 78th Independence Day, he said extensive consultations have been held across the country on the issue and all political parties have given their views. A committee, he added, has submitted an excellent report

"Frequent elections are creating hurdles in the progress of the nation. It has become easy to link any scheme/initiative with elections. There are elections somewhere every three to six months. Every work is linked to elections," PM Modi said from the ramparts of the Red Fort

"The nation has to come forward for one nation, one election," he said

The prime minister urged political parties "from the Red Fort and with the national tricolour as a witness to ensure the nation's progress"

He also asked parties to ensure that national resources are used for the common person and said, "We have to come forward to realise the dream of one nation one election"

'One nation, one election' is one of the key promises made by the BJP in its manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections

A high-level panel headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind in March this year recommended simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies as the first step followed by synchronised local body polls within 100 days

Simultaneous polls will help save resources, spur development and social cohesion, deepen "foundations of democratic rubric" and help realise the aspirations of "India, that is Bharat", the panel said in its report