NEWDELHI: Lok Sabha opposition leader Rahul Gandhi reacted on the appointment of Gyanesh Kumar as the country's 26th Chief Election Commissioner. He released his dissent note from the selection committee meeting through X. He responded that the midnight decision was disrespectful.

'In the meeting to select the next election commissioner, I gave a dissent note to the Prime Minister and the Home Minister. The most fundamental aspect of an independent Election Commission, free from executive interference, is the process of selecting the Election Commissioner and the Chief Election Commissioner.

The Chief Justice of India was removed from the committee in violation of the Supreme Court order. Modi government has worsened the concerns of crores of voters about the transparency of our electoral process.

During the meeting of the committee to select the next Election Commissioner, I presented a dissent note to the PM and HM, that stated: The most fundamental aspect of an independent Election Commission free from executive interference is the process of choosing the Election… pic.twitter.com/JeL9WSfq3X

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 18, 2025

As the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, it is my duty to uphold the ideals of Ambedkar and the founding leaders of our nation and hold the government accountable.

‘When the very structure and procedures of the committee are being questioned in the Supreme Court and are being heard within forty-eight hours, the midnight decision by the Prime Minister and the Home Minister to select a new Chief Election Commissioner is disrespectful and impolite,’ said Rahul Gandhi.