New Delhi: Congress leader and Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday criticized the appointment process of the next Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), which was “midnight” for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal “.
He objected to the exclusion of the Chief Justice (CJI) of India from the selection panel, arguing that the step reduces the credibility of the Election Commission, especially with one Supreme court hearing On the case scheduled within the next 48 hours.
The Center on Monday appointed Ganesh Kumar, 1988 batch Kerala cadre IAS officer and former Parliamentary Affairs Secretary as the new CEC.
The selection panel included PM Modi, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Leader of Opposition (LOP) Rahul Gandhi.
Gandhi, who attended the meeting, expressed his dissatisfaction in a post on X and said, “During the committee meeting to select the next Election Commissioner, I presented a dissatisfaction note to PM and HM, which said: Aspect of the most fundamental aspect is the process of choosing an independent Election Commission and Chief Election Commissioner free from executive intervention. “
He accused the Modi government of violating the Supreme Court order by removing the CJI from the selection panel, calling it a step that “increased the concerns of millions of voters on the integrity of our electoral process.”
“As LOP, it is my duty to maintain the ideals of Babasaheb Ambedkar and the founding leaders of our nation and keep the government in mind. The new CEC when the committee and the process of the process are being challenged in the Supreme Court and forty -four hours It is being heard in less time than, “Gandhi said.
The Congress party said in an official statement on Monday that the meeting should have been postponed until the final decision on the creation of the selection panel of the Supreme Court.
“Today, a meeting related to the election of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) was held. The Congress party believes that the Supreme Court said that the matter will be heard on February 19 and a decision will be given on the Constitution that the Constitution will be given that the Constitution What will be given like a committee.
Senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi also criticized the government, stating that his move to exclude the CJI indicated an attempt to control the Election Commission instead of ensuring his credibility.
“Trying to keep the Chief Justice out of the appointment (CEC) process as an independent unit, the government has made it clear, they only want control, but not reliability. “Singhvi said.
Rahul Gandhi had earlier raised the issue in Parliament, in which the Prime Minister was questioned on the decision to remove CJI from the selection panel.
“The rules have been changed. The Election Commissioner was elected by the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and the Chief Justice. The Chief Justice was removed from that committee. This is a question for the Prime Minister, why was the Chief Justice from the Committee Removed? “He asked.
His reference was for the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (appointment, terms of service and office conditions) Act, 2023, which changed the composition of the selection panel except CJI.
The importance of appointment benefits as the current CEC Rajiv Kumar is ready to retire on February 18. After his departure, Gyanash Kumar will become the highest election commissioner with his tenure by 26 January, 2029.
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