Patna: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has criticised the Narendra Modi government over changes to the selection committee for appointing the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), alleging that the move undermines democratic safeguards.
Speaking in Patna, Bihar, Kharge said the selection committee earlier comprised the Chief Justice of India (CJI), the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. He alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi removed the CJI from the panel and included Union Home Minister Amit Shah instead.
Kharge argued that the change, combined with the ruling party’s majority on the committee, gives the government greater influence over the appointment of the country’s top election official.
Describing the development as a threat to democracy, the Congress president called for those responsible to be removed from power.
