Election Commissioner Appointment Sparks Controversy, Rahul Gandhi Joins Fray

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu) : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Central government over the appointment of the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), accusing it of undermining democracy and compromising the independence of the Election Commission.

Gandhi's remarks came after the government announced the appointment of Arun Goel, a retired IAS officer, as the new CEC. The Congress party has been critical of the appointment, alleging that it was done in a hurried manner without proper consultation. "The appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner is a critical issue that goes to the heart of our democracy," Gandhi said at a press conference. "The government's decision to appoint a new CEC in a hurried manner, without proper consultation, is a clear attempt to undermine the independence of the Election Commission."

Gandhi alleged that the government's move was part of a larger pattern of undermining democratic institutions and compromising their independence. He cited the examples of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), alleging that the government had interfered with their functioning.

"The government's actions are a clear threat to our democracy," Gandhi said. "We will not allow the government to compromise the independence of our democratic institutions." The Congress party has demanded that the government explain the reason behind the hurried appointment of the new CEC and why the opposition parties were not consulted.

The Election Commission is a constitutional body responsible for conducting free and fair elections in the country. The CEC is the head of the commission and plays a crucial role in ensuring the integrity of the electoral process. The government's decision to appoint a new CEC has sparked a controversy, with opposition parties alleging that it was done to influence the outcome of upcoming state elections. The Congress party has vowed to oppose the appointment and demand a thorough investigation into the matter.