On March 7-8, what transpired within the Election Commission that prompted the sole Election Commissioner, Arun Goel, to resign? A serious matter must have unfolded, leading Goel to forgo his four-year tenure unexpectedly. Goel would have remained in the chief position for over two more years in the next term.
When Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla Held a Meeting with the CEC
Insiders suggest there were differences between Goel and the Chief Election Commissioner on some issues. While such disagreements are commonplace among senior officials, the atmosphere within the Commission felt distinctly different on March 6 and 7.
On March 8, Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla visited the Election Commission headquarters to review the election preparations across various states and plan the deployment and movement of security forces for the upcoming general elections. The goal was to ensure free, fair, and fearless elections throughout India, including in sensitive areas such as Jammu and Kashmir, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Maharashtra.
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Arun Goel Absent from the Meeting
Sources report that Goel was absent from that crucial meeting. CEC Rajiv Kumar was alone, discussing with the Home Secretary and other officials. Preliminary minor disagreements reportedly intensified on the night of March 6-7, escalating to a significant fallout.
New Appointments to be Finalized by March 15
The government is hurrying to fill the resultant vacancies in the Election Commission by March 15. Scrambling to expedite the appointments of two Commissioners, government sources hint at a prepared shortlist of six to seven candidates.
The selection committee, comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and a minister nominated by the Prime Minister, is expected to meet by Tuesday. The government is striving to complete the appointments before the election announcement, as there is no other alternative but rapid action.
Last year, the Supreme Court had criticized the hasty appointment of Arun Goel, questioning the urgency that pushed the government into swift action. The selection process was completed in a day, but this time the urgency seems different and justified.
