Congress MP Rahul Gandhi condemns the Centre’s ‘midnight decision’ to appoint Gyanesh Kumar as Chief Election Commissioner, citing Supreme Court concerns over the selection process.
Rahul Gandhi Calls Out Centre’s ‘Midnight Decision’ on Chief Election Commissioner Appointment
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has strongly criticized the government’s late-night appointment of Gyanesh Kumar as the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). He called the move a direct violation of the Supreme Court’s directive, which had initially included the Chief Justice of India (CJI) in the selection committee.
The appointment comes amid an ongoing legal challenge against the revised selection process, which the Supreme Court is set to review this week. Gandhi, who is a part of the three-member selection panel alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, had voiced his objections, stating that the decision undermines the independence of the Election Commission.
In a dissent note presented to the panel—later shared on social media platform X—Gandhi emphasized that a free and fair election process requires an independent Election Commission, free from executive influence. He argued that removing the CJI from the selection committee weakens the integrity of India’s electoral system.
Despite his objections, the government proceeded with Kumar’s appointment, citing the need to prevent a vacancy in the crucial post. The move has fueled fresh concerns about the transparency and impartiality of electoral governance in India.
“As the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, it is my duty to uphold the ideals of Babasaheb Ambedkar and our founding leaders by holding the government accountable,” Gandhi asserted.
The Supreme Court’s upcoming hearing on the matter will be crucial in determining the legality and fairness of the Centre’s new selection process for the country’s top election official.
