Union Minister Piyush Goyal has launched a scathing attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi regarding his allegations against the independence of the Election Commission of India. Goyal accused the Congress party of historically undermining every aspect of the Constitution and described Rahul Gandhi's current stance as childish. He emphasized that the Congress party should look at its own track record before questioning the integrity of constitutional bodies, while according to Goyal, the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently advocated for the Election Commission to function in an independent and autonomous manner, ensuring that the democratic process remains solid and untainted by political interference.
Allegations of Political Rewards Under Congress Rule
During his address, Piyush Goyal claimed that while the Modi government has never offered political positions to any Election Commissioner, the Congress party has a long history of appointing Chief Election Commissioners (CECs) to roles such as Members of Parliament and Union Ministers. He cited the example of former Chief Election Commissioner TN Seshan, who was widely respected for his impartiality. Goyal pointed out that despite this reputation, the Congress party later fielded Seshan as a candidate against veteran leader L K Advani in the 1999 elections. Goyal questioned whether this wasn't an attempt to reward a constitutional authority for past actions.
Piyush Goyal further elaborated on the track record of the Congress party, stating that one Chief Election Commissioner was made a candidate on a party ticket, another was inducted into the Union Cabinet, and two former Chief Election Commissioners were appointed as Governors. He also recalled an instance where a Chief Election Commissioner had reported that an Election Commissioner working under him was acting like a Congress agent, yet the government of that time refused to remove him. Goyal remarked that such blatant bias has rarely been seen in any other government.
The Case of MS Gill and Other Officials
The Union Minister highlighted the case of MS Gill, who served as the Chief Election Commissioner from 1996 to 2001. Goyal noted that in 2000, while still serving as the sitting Chief Election Commissioner, Gill was honored with the Padma Vibhushan. He questioned if this was a reward for his actions. Goyal pointed out that just 3 years after his retirement, MS Gill joined the Congress party, entered the Rajya Sabha in 2004, and was eventually made a Minister in the Union Cabinet in 2008. Goyal cited this as definitive proof of how the Congress party lowered the dignity of the Election Commission's office and misused officials for political gains.
Goyal also mentioned other officials, such as Tikaram Meena, who was the Chief Election Officer of Kerala. He stated that just one year later, Meena was included in the Congress party's manifesto team in Rajasthan. Similarly, he mentioned Ratan U Kelkar, who served as the Chief Election Officer of Kerala in May 2026. Goyal alleged that immediately after the elections, the current Chief Minister VD Satheesan declared him as his Chief Secretary. Goyal questioned if this wasn't a case of political quid pro quo, where officials are promised positions in exchange for help during elections.
Reforms in the Selection Process
Addressing the current system, Piyush Goyal explained how the selection process for Election Commissioners has changed under the Modi government. He stated that previously, the government alone decided who would be the Chief Election Commissioner. However, in 2023, the Modi government introduced a legal provision that included the Leader of the Opposition as a member of the selection committee. Now, the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition together decide who will be appointed as the Chief Election Commissioner, ensuring greater transparency and inclusivity.
Internal Contradictions Within the Opposition
Piyush Goyal also pointed out that several Congress leaders have expressed views that contradict Rahul Gandhi's allegations. He mentioned that Shashi Tharoor and Ramesh Chennithala credited the SIR (Special Information Report/System) for the Congress party's victory in Kerala. Even the Chief Minister of Kerala praised the SIR, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury lauded the Election Commission for conducting fair elections in West Bengal. Goyal argued that while their own leaders praise the system, the party continues to make baseless and false claims about vote theft.
Rajiv Ranjan Singh on Constitutional Anarchy
Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh) also joined the criticism, stating that there has been a persistent attempt to create drama and anarchy in the country over the past few days. He accused the opposition of trying to defame constitutional institutions, a move he believes the public won't accept. Singh alleged that these leaders are attacking constitutional bodies to promote their own families. He noted that political parties are now protesting at the Supreme Court, something that has never happened before, in an attempt to pressure and malign these institutions.
Singh further attacked the Congress by naming Baharul Islam, who was a Congress MP, then became a High Court Judge in Assam, was later elevated to the Supreme Court, and upon retirement, was given a seat in the Rajya Sabha by the Congress. He also mentioned Ranganath Mishra in this context. Singh claimed that Rahul Gandhi wants to follow in the footsteps of his grandmother and return the country to the Emergency era. He concluded by saying that while PM Modi makes every decision in the interest of the nation, the opposition is trying to gain power through chaos and by insulting the Prime Minister's family, which the public has already rejected.