Bill for selection of Election Commissioners: Congress calls it 'blatant attempt' at making EC 'puppet in hands of PM'

Congress alleges new bill to regulate appointment of CEC & ECs is a "blatant attempt" to make poll watchdog a "puppet" of PM. Asks if BJD & YSRCP will join forces to oppose. Congress MP Tagore charges PM & HM want to control ECI. SC ruling requires impartial panel. Bill seeks to set up procedure for ECI. PM, LoP & Cabinet Minister to select future CEC & ECs. SC ruling requires PM, LoP & CJI to select. Bill in contrast to SC ruling. Vacancy in poll panel early 2021. SC ruling to hold good till law made by Parliament.

The Congress on Thursday alleged that a new bill that seeks to regulate the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners is a "blatant attempt" at making the poll watchdog a "total puppet in the hands of the Prime Minister", and appealed to all democratic forces to oppose the proposed legislation.

The opposition party also asked if the BJD and YSRCP will also join hands to oppose the bill which has been listed in the day's business in the Rajya Sabha.

Congress general secretary organisation K.C. Venugopal hit out at the government over the bill, calling it a "blatant attempt at making the Election Commission a total puppet in the hands of the PM".

"What about the Supreme Court’s existing ruling which requires an impartial panel? Why does the PM feel the need to appoint a biased Election Commissioner? This is an unconstitutional, arbitrary and unfair Bill - we will oppose this on every forum," Mr. Venugopal said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Congress MP and whip in Lok Sabha Manickam Tagore charged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah want to control the Election Commission by bringing the bill.

"Modi and Shah wants to control the ECI as they are doing now," Mr. Tagore alleged on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"All the Democratic forces must appose. Will BJD and YSRCP do," Mr. Tagore asked.