Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal challenged the Congress to seek the resignation of its chief ministers in Karnataka, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh and Kerala if the party believes elections are being rigged.
His remarks came amid protests in Delhi by opposition INDIA bloc leaders and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The controversy over the SIR exercise has intensified political tensions, with opposition parties raising concerns about the electoral process and the role of the Election Commission.
Piyush Goyal questions Congress over Election Commission
Goyal defended the Election Commission under the Narendra Modi government, saying election commissioners had worked independently.
“All election commissioners under Modi ji have worked independently. Now, look at the track record of Rahul Gandhi. During their time, they had given poll tickets to ECs,” he said.
Referring to former election commissioners, Goyal also mentioned TN Seshan and MS Gill while criticising the Congress’s record on appointments and the functioning of the poll body.
His comments came as opposition leaders continued to raise questions about the Election Commission and the SIR process.
‘Whoever they picked was made CEC’: Goyal targets Congress
Goyal alleged that previous Congress-led governments appointed chief election commissioners without consulting other stakeholders.
“Previously, the government used to make the appointments unilaterally. There was no consultation or dialogue with anyone involved. Whoever the government chose was appointed to the Election Commission. Whoever they picked was made the Chief,” he said.
The minister argued that the process of appointing election commissioners had changed under the Modi government.
Goyal cites 2023 law on appointment of election commissioners
Defending the changes introduced by the Centre, Goyal said the Modi government brought in a new law in 2023 to change the process for selecting election commissioners.
He said the Leader of the Opposition was included in the selection committee, allowing the opposition to participate in the process alongside the Prime Minister.
“It was PM Narendra Modi’s government that introduced a new law in 2023. Under this legislation, the Leader of the Opposition was made a member of the selection committee, and now, the Leader of the Opposition sits alongside the Prime Minister to make the selection,” he said.
The appointment process has remained a subject of political debate, particularly amid opposition allegations concerning the independence of the Election Commission and the conduct of elections.
The latest exchange between Goyal and the Congress comes amid continuing political disputes over electoral rolls, the SIR exercise and the functioning of constitutional institutions.
