Union Minister Piyush Goyal Targets Congress Over Former CECs Amid ECI Independence Row

Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday criticised the Congress party over its past dealings with former Chief Election Commissioners (CECs), questioning the opposition’s record as it demands the removal of incumbent CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Addressing a press conference, Goyal accused Congress of questioning the Election Commission of India (ECI) despite having previously fielded a former CEC in an election, appointed another as a Union Minister and elevated former election officials to gubernatorial positions.

Goyal cited T.N. Seshan, who served as CEC from 1990 to 1996, noting that Congress fielded him against senior BJP leader L.K. Advani from Gandhinagar in the 1999 Lok Sabha elections. Seshan lost the contest. Goyal also referred to former CEC M.S. Gill, who later became a Union Minister under a Congress-led government, and questioned the award of the Padma Vibhushan to him while he held the constitutional post.

He further cited R.K. Trivedi, who was appointed Governor of Gujarat after retiring as CEC, and Naveen Chawla, whose elevation to the top election post Goyal criticised despite a recommendation by former CEC N. Gopalaswami for his removal.

The remarks come amid a wider confrontation over the Election Commission’s independence and the conduct of the SIR exercise. Congress and its INDIA bloc allies have alleged irregularities in electoral-roll revisions and demanded action against Gyanesh Kumar.

On October 12, opposition leaders led by Rahul Gandhi marched towards the Supreme Court and subsequently filed a petition challenging aspects of the ECI’s decisions relating to the SIR. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and nine other opposition leaders were also among the petitioners.

However, the Supreme Court Registry flagged 14 procedural defects in the writ petition, requiring corrections before it could proceed. These objections concern procedural compliance and do not determine the merits of the allegations.

The controversy has renewed attention on the constitutional safeguards protecting the Election Commission. Article 324 empowers the ECI to supervise elections, while Article 324(5) protects the CEC from arbitrary removal by requiring the same procedure and grounds applicable to a Supreme Court judge. The CEC’s service conditions also cannot be altered to their disadvantage after appointment.

The 2023 law governing appointments and tenure provides for a six-year term or service until the age of 65, whichever comes first. However, debates continue over whether the selection process provides sufficient independence from the executive.

The dispute highlights the distinction between historical political appointments and current allegations, which must be assessed on evidence, applicable law and judicial scrutiny.