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Mamata Banerjee Salutes Arun Goel's Resilience Against BJP Pressure, Questions Election Commission's Independence

Kalyani Jha
10 Mar, 2024

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee commended Arun Goel for his steadfastness in the face of pressure from Delhi leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regarding the deployment of forces in West Bengal ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Banerjee praised Goel for not yielding to attempts at coercion by the BJP, stating that it is evident that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) seeks to manipulate the electoral process.

Speaking at Kolkata's Brigade Parade Grounds, Banerjee emphasized the importance of upholding democratic values and resisting external pressure on constitutional bodies like the Election Commission. She highlighted Goel's resignation as a testament to the challenges posed by political interference in the electoral process.

Earlier in the day, Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav questioned the independence of the Election Commission, raising concerns about potential external influence on its functioning. Yadav's remarks echoed Banerjee's sentiments regarding the need for transparency and impartiality in electoral governance.

Arun Goel's resignation, effective immediately, has raised speculation about the circumstances leading to his departure from the Election Commission. As a retired bureaucrat with a distinguished career, Goel's decision to step down has underscored the complexities surrounding electoral administration in India.

The vacancy created by Goel's resignation adds to the challenges facing the Election Commission, which now operates with only one member, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar. The impending appointment of two new election commissioners aims to address this gap and ensure the effective functioning of the commission ahead of the upcoming elections.

The selection process for appointing new election commissioners involves rigorous scrutiny and deliberation by a search committee led by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. The final decision rests with a selection committee chaired by the prime minister, underscoring the significance of these appointments in upholding the integrity of the electoral process.

As the appointment of new election commissioners draws near, stakeholders across the political spectrum will closely monitor the process to ensure transparency and accountability in the functioning of the Election Commission. The outcome of these appointments will have far-reaching implications for the credibility and fairness of future elections in India.