Bill for selection of Election Commissioners: Congress calls it 'blatant attempt' at making EC 'puppet in hands of PM'
The Hindu
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.
The Opposition Congress demanded that the government open the Gandhi Vatika Museum, depicting Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy and freedom struggle, built at a cost of ₹85 crore in Jaipur’s Central Park last year, during the Congress-led regime in Rajasthan. The museum has not been opened to the public, reportedly because of the administration’s engagements with the State Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
Almaya Munnettam (Lay People to the Fore), group in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church opposed to the synod-recommended Mass, rejected a circular issued by Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil and apostolic administrator Bosco Puthur on June 9 to implement the unified Mass in the archdiocese from July 3.
Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten stated that “not so great decision making” contributed to his side’s defeat to India in the Group-A T20 World Cup clash here on Sunday. The batting unit came apart in the chase, after being well placed at 72 for two. With 48 runs needed from eight overs, Pakistan found a way to panic and lose. “Maybe not so great decision making,” Kirsten said at the post-match press conference, when asked to explain the loss.