Ploy to rig LS polls: Cong

NT Correspondent

New Delhi: Opposition parties on Thursday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over a new Bill seeking to regulate the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners, saying it is a "blatant attempt" at making the poll watchdog a "total puppet in the hands of the prime minister".

While the Aam Aadmi Party said the prime minister is "weakening" Indian democracy and the ECs appointed will be "loyal" to the BJP, the Trinamool Congress alleged that this is a clear step towards "rigging" the 2024 elections.

Congress leaders appealed to all democratic forces to oppose the proposed legislation and asked whether the BJD and YSRCP will also join hands to oppose the bill.

The BJD and YSRCP have been extending support on crucial issues to the government in the Rajya Sabha, where the BJP does not enjoy a majority of its own.

The Bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha in the post-lunch session amid uproar by opposition parties, after which the house was adjourned.

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," Venugopal said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said it is a "black day" for democracy and noted that the "2024 Lok Sabha election is before us and the Modi government is on the verge of defeat, after losing out in Karnataka and HP.''

SC directed that appointment of Election Commissioner should be done by Committee of:

1. PM

2. Leader of Opposition

3. CJI

Modi govt is now bringing law to change the committee members to:

1. PM

2. Leader of Opposition

3. Cabinet Minister appointed by PM