Rahul Slams Midnight Call on CEC, Says 'Disrespectful'

A day after PM Narendra Modi-led committee picked Gyanesh Kumar as the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday slammed the decision saying that it was "disrespectful," for the PM and the home minister to have made a midnight decision when the composition of the committee and the process is being challenged in the Supreme Court.

- PREETHA NAIR @ New Delhi

Gandhi and Amit Shah are members of the selection committee.

The fundamental aspect of an independent Election Commission free from executive interference is the process of choosing ECs and CECs, Gandhi said in his dissent note, which was shared on X.

During the panel meeting on Monday, Gandhi pushed for the postponement of the decision on the CEC till the SC hearing on a petition challenging the constitution of the selection panel. The SC is set to hear the case on Wednesday.