Srinagar: The Congress kept the heat on the appointment of the new chief election commissioner on Monday as leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, in his speech on the floor of the Lok Sabha, said he may not attend the meeting with Prime Minister and the home minister to decide on India’s next poll commissioner.
“In a few more days I have a meeting where Amit Shah (union home minister) and Narendra Modi will be present (to select the new chief election commissioner). What is the point of this meeting?” Rahul asked, as he raised the issue of the Maharashtra polls on the floor of the House.
The chief election commissioner Rajeev Kumar is due to retire on February 18.
“The rules have been changed. The election commissioners used to be selected by the prime minister, the leader of opposition and the chief justice of India. Why was the chief justice of India removed (from the selection process)?” asked Rahul.
In 2023, the Narendra Modi government had introduced a bill that replaced the CJI in the appointment of the election commissioners with the union home minister and giving an advantage to the ruling party to pick a man of its choice.
“Had the CJI been there, we could have discussed the matter and given our opinion that we do not agree to the government’s nominee. Now it is two to one. What is the point of attending such a meeting?” he asked.
Rahul re-stirs debate over CEC selection
