Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Sunday mentioned the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal is an proof that the Election Commission is “a long arm of the government”.
Sibal additionally raised questions over the appointment of two election commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu not too long ago, saying they have been appointed regardless of the very fact that there’s a Constitution bench judgment stating that the Chief Justice of India (CJI) must also be a member of the committee that recommends the names of appointees.
“As far as the seven phases (of the Lok Sabha polls in the country) are concerned, that was expected,” he advised PTI Videos.
“In fact the way they appointed these two election commissioners despite the fact that there is a Constitution bench judgment saying that the CJI should also be a member of the committee. The way they have discarded the Constitution bench decision despite the challenge pending in the Supreme Court and the way they preponed the appointment, only shows that their intention was to have their own people there,” Sibal alleged.
He mentioned the seven-phase election in West Bengal is simply proof that the Election Commission is “a long arm of the government”.
The elections will start on April 19 adopted by subsequent phases on April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar mentioned at a press convention on Saturday.
Polling will likely be held in all seven phases in three states – Bihar, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.
The Trinamool Congress had expressed dismay over the Election Commission’s determination to carry the elections in seven phases, citing issues over “unfair advantage” to wealthier events.
Asked about Enforcement Directorate summons towards Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the arrest of BRS chief Okay Kavitha, Sibal mentioned the entire intent of this authorities is to guarantee that all opposition leaders are proceeded towards in order that they can’t marketing campaign.
“The entire constitutional machinery has been disbanded and what we have is a machinery of a government which has disregarded constitutional provisions to ensure that they remain in power. That is the kind of phase we are seeing which started in 2014,” he alleged.
On Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reward for the Enforcement Directorate, Sibal mentioned he ought to reward the ED for its “unwavering loyalty” to corruption.
“I must say that the ED’s loyalty to this government is unwavering and really something that is to be lauded,” Sibal mentioned.
Talking concerning the electoral bonds case, the Rajya Sabha MP mentioned the information are earlier than the folks of this nation.
“You raid an individual, begin ED proceedings towards an individual, inside a number of months he purchases the electoral bonds and offers them to the get together in energy.
“They are running the country opposed to the Constitution. So let’s see what the courts do,” Sibal mentioned.
Addressing a press convention earlier, Sibal had mentioned he needed to ask some questions over the electoral bonds situation.
“In October 2011, RSS Joint General Secretary Dr Manmohan Vaidya said that full support would be given to all organisations and individuals who fight against corruption. So, I want to ask that corruption is out in the open, that those who were raided made donations, hence, will he fight against this corruption or not?” Sibal mentioned.
He had additionally requested RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat whether or not he’ll increase his voice towards such corruption.
(Only the headline and film of this report could have been reworked by the Business Standard workers; the remainder of the content material is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
First Published: Mar 17 2024 | 4:34 PM IST
