Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday criticised the Congress over its record of dealing with former Chief Election Commissioners (CECs), alleging that the party had given an election ticket to one, appointed another as a minister and made two election commissioners governors.
Goyal questions appointments of former election officials
Earlier reporting noted: Centre flags Congress’ ties with ex-CECs: ‘Fielded one against Advani, made another minister’ Union minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday attacked the Congress amid the party’s continued protests seeking Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged SIR irregularities. “Congress raises questions about the Election Commission while ignoring its own track record. “MS Gill, a sitting CEC, was awarded the Padma Vibhushan. This was done to reward his sycophancy. The Union minister also cited RK Dwivedi and Naveen Chawla while questioning the Congress’s handling of former election officials. “RK Dwivedi was made a Governor within two months of his retirement. “Gopalaswami recommended that Naveen Chawla be removed, but instead, Naveen Chawla was made the CEC. Ratna U Kelkar was the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Kerala.
Goyal referred to former CEC TN Seshan, who served as the country’s 10th Chief Election Commissioner from 1990 to 1996. Dwivedi served as Chief Election Commissioner from 1982 and was appointed Governor of Gujarat in 1986, according to the details cited by Goyal.
If you look at Rahul Gandhi’s (Congress’) track record: they gave a party ticket to one Election Commissioner, made another a Minister, and appointed two as Governors,” Goyal said. He said the Congress had fielded Seshan against veteran BJP leader LK Advani. He later joined the Congress party and was made a Union Minister,” Goyal said. Naveen Chawla was made CEC by Sonia Gandhi, even when she was not in the government,” he said. Immediately after the elections, the Chief Minister appointed him as his Chief Advisor,” Goyal said. Earlier reporting noted: During the presser, Goyal named four ex-CECs, including TN Seshan, MS Gill, RK Trivedi and Naveen Chawla, and listed how these officials were “rewarded” during the Congress regime.
Goyal flagged the party’s own ties with people who earlier held the CEC post. Earlier reporting noted: “Congress raises questions about the Election Commission while ignoring its own track record.
