'They Want BJP Sympathiser To Head Election Commission': AAP's Fresh Attack On Centre

Aam Aadmi Party leader Saurabh Bhardwaj said that the Centre wants a BJP sympathiser to head the Election Commission of India.

Aam Aadmi Party leader and Delhi minister Saurabh Bhardwaj

Source : PTI

Aam Aadmi Party leader Saurabh Bhardwaj on Thursday criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre over the party leaders using Ram Mandir in the campaigning for the upcoming assembly polls in five states. 

Bhardwaj alleged that the Centre changed the process of appointing the chief election commissioner because it wants the Election Commission of India to be headed by a sympathiser of the Bharatiya Janata Party. 

"The central government changed the previous method of appointing the Chief Election Commissioner because they want the person leading the Election Commission to be a sympathiser (of BJP), someone who shares their thoughts," Bhardwaj told news agency PTI. 

VIDEO | "The central government changed the previous method of appointing the Chief Election Commissioner because they want the person leading the Election Commission to be a sympathiser (of BJP), someone who shares their thoughts," says AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj on Shiv Sena… pic.twitter.com/vMdgfgtVlU

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Recently, Union minister Amit Shah addressed a rally in Madhya Pradesh’s Guna where he promised that the saffron party would bear the cost for the darshan of Lord Ram Lalla if its government is formed in Madhya Pradesh.

Reacting to the statement, Shiv Sena (Balasaheb Thackeray) MP Sanjay Raut lashed out at Shah and the party saying: “Lord Ram is famous for the whole country and the world, but the way Ram Lalla is being promoted in the election campaign, it means that if the people of Madhya Pradesh defeat you, then people will be stopped from going to see Ram Lalla. What kind of politics is going on in our country?"

He urged that the Election Commission should take action in this regard and demanded an apology from BJP leaders. 

"BJP should apologize for the way issues are being raised in the campaign. Have you become the owner of Ram Lalla or has Ram Lalla appointed you as an agent? This is a very serious matter. If the Election Commission is really alive then action should be taken in this regard," he added.

Bhardwaj's comment also comes at a time when the Centre is preparing to table  The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023 in the Parliament's Winter Session that would begin from December 4. 

The bill attempts to alter the constitutional provisions that equates election commissioners with Supreme Court judges. After the bill would pass, the election commissioners would come at par with Cabinet Secretary.