New Delhi: Gyanesh Kumar’s appointment as the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) late Monday night has ignited a political controversy between the Congress and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has strongly condemned the late-night appointment of Kumar, calling the decision “disrespectful” and “discourteous.”
Gandhi’s criticism centres on the timing of the appointment, just hours after a selection committee meeting where he urged postponement due to a pending Supreme Court case challenging the appointment process itself.
During the meeting of the committee to select the next Election Commissioner, I presented a dissent note to the PM and HM, that stated: The most fundamental aspect of an independent Election Commission free from executive interference is the process of choosing the Election… pic.twitter.com/JeL9WSfq3X
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 18, 2025
In a post on X, Gandhi shared his dissent note submitted during the selection committee meeting, emphasising the importance of an independent Election Commission free from executive interference. He asserted his responsibility as Leader of the Opposition to uphold democratic ideals and hold the government accountable.
“During the meeting of the committee to select the next Election Commissioner, I presented a dissent note to the PM and HM, that stated: The most fundamental aspect of an independent Election Commission free from executive interference is the process of choosing the Election Commissioner and Chief Election Commissioner,” Gandhi posted on X.
“It is both disrespectful and discourteous for the PM and HM to have made a midnight decision to select the new CEC, when the very composition of the committee and the process is being challenged in the Supreme Court and is due to be heard in less than forty-eight hours,” he added.
He further argues that the government’s actions, including the removal of the Chief Justice of India from the selection committee, raise serious concerns about the integrity of India’s electoral process and exacerbate the anxieties of millions of voters.
“Supreme Court order and removing the Chief Justice of India from the committee, the Modi Government has exacerbated the concerns of hundreds of millions of voters over the integrity of our electoral process,” he also said in his post while sharing his dissent note.
The BJP swiftly responded to Gandhi’s allegations. BJP leader Amit Malviya, in a post on X, defended the government’s actions, claiming the current appointment process is more structured, transparent, and inclusive than previous methods.
Rahul Gandhi’s dissent on the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) is not just politically motivated but also lacks merit. It is an attempt to undermine the constitutional mandate of the elected government through malicious judicial activism. Additionally, it… pic.twitter.com/96DZANT7OJ
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) February 18, 2025
He highlighted the involvement of multiple stakeholders, including the Leader of the Opposition, and insisted the appointment followed established rules and regulations. The BJP further dismissed Gandhi’s criticism as politically motivated and lacking merit, accusing him of misinterpreting the Supreme Court’s judgment on the matter.
“The Congress, and the Gandhis in particular, should be the last to sermonize on the appointment of the CEC, given their record of abusing the office, appointing pliant candidates, and later doling out political appointments to incumbents as a reward for their services after stepping down,” Malviya wrote on X.
