Rahul Gandhi Condemns Government for CEC Appointment; Files Dissent Note
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Synopsis
On February 18, 2023, Rahul Gandhi criticized the Indian government's appointment of Gyanesh Kumar as Chief Election Commissioner, questioning the decision's timing amid ongoing judicial scrutiny. He emphasized the need for transparency in the election process.
Key Takeaways
- Rahul Gandhi opposes CEC appointment by the government.
- Concerns raised about the integrity of the electoral process.
- Judicial review of the selection committee's composition.
- Call for an independent and transparent selection process.
- Congress party seeks to delay CEC selection until court hearing.
New Delhi, Feb 18 (NationPress) Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has vehemently condemned the Centre for its late-night decision to appoint Gyanesh Kumar as the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). Kumar, a retired IAS officer from the Kerala cadre, succeeds Rajiv Kumar following his retirement.
LoP Gandhi raised concerns regarding the haste of the appointment, emphasizing that the composition of the selection committee is currently subject to judicial review.
“The Modi government has heightened apprehensions regarding the integrity of our electoral process by disregarding the Supreme Court’s order and removing the Chief Justice of India from the selection panel,” he expressed in a post on X.
Being a participant in the selection meeting, LoP Gandhi submitted a dissent note to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. He asserted that an independent Election Commission relies on a transparent selection process, untainted by executive influence.
“As LoP, I feel it is my responsibility to uphold the principles set forth by Babasaheb Ambedkar and our founding leaders. The PM and HM’s midnight decision to appoint the new CEC is both disrespectful and discourteous, particularly given that the committee’s composition is currently being challenged in the Supreme Court, with a hearing scheduled in less than 48 hours,” he remarked.
Referencing a ruling from the Supreme Court on March 2, 2023, LoP Gandhi noted that the court had directed the selection of the CEC and Election Commissioners by a panel consisting of the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition, and the Chief Justice of India. However, the government later enacted a law in August 2023 that replaced the CJI with a Union Cabinet Minister appointed by the PM, which Rahul Gandhi described as a “flagrant violation” of the court’s directive.
The government’s decision has been contested in the Supreme Court, which is scheduled to hear the case on February 19.
LoP Gandhi stated that the Congress party believes the selection of the next CEC should be postponed until the court hearing. “Advancing with the appointment under these conditions undermines our institutions and the values upheld by our founding leaders,” he concluded.
