Rahul Gandhi questioned why the Chief Justice of India (CJI) was removed from the panel that appoints Election Commissioners. He asked why this change was made and how it might affect fair elections. Gandhi stressed that judicial supervision is important for such key decisions. His statement comes as people discuss election reforms and the independence of institutions.
New Delhi: During a recent session in Parliament, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) and Congress leader, criticized the Modi government for removing the Chief Justice of India (CJI) from the selection committee responsible for recommending the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other Election Commissioners.
He described this move as a “calculated strategy.”
Gandhi pointed out,
“The rules have been changed. The Election Commissioner used to be chosen by the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, and the Chief Justice. The Chief Justice was removed from that committee. This raises a question for the Prime Minister: why was the Chief Justice removed?”
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He was referencing the exclusion of the CJI from the Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.
According to section 7 of this Act, the CEC and other election commissioners are now appointed by the President based on recommendations from a selection committee comprising the Prime Minister, the Lok Sabha LoP, and a Union cabinet minister selected by the PM.
Gandhi emphasized that the CJI’s exclusion from the selection panel was a deliberate maneuver and alleged that the election dates for the Lok Sabha were postponed.
He noted,
“Just before the Lok Sabha polls, the Election Commissioner was changed, and two new Election Commissioners were appointed.”
He further commented on the upcoming meeting with PM Modi and Amit Shah, questioning his role,
“Now in a few days, I’m going to go to the meeting. It will be PM Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, and me, 2-1. Why even am I going to the meeting? I am only going there to certify what Modi and Amit Shah are going to say. If the Chief Justice were there, we could have a discussion. It seems to be a calculated strategy.”
Additionally, Gandhi accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of undermining the values of prominent figures such as Babasaheb Ambedkar, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Gautam Buddha.
He stated,
“There is no place for hatred, violence, or anger in the advancement of the nation, as they are destructive for the country.”
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He urged for a reconnection to the values of the past and said,
“You talk about Sardar Patel but you destroy his values every day… There is no hatred, violence, or anger because these things are destroying our country.”
The budget session of Parliament began on January 31, with the joint address from President Droupadi Murmu, and will run until February 13, with a recess before resuming on March 10 and concluding on April 4.
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