Responding to a media query, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said: “The high court judge resigned and joined BJP the next day and started abusing TMC. It shows that BJP has appointed people with such a mindset. Now, election commissioner has resigned, let us wait for some time to see what he does.”
Party spokesman Jairam Ramesh asked: “Resignation of Arun Goel raises three questions: Did he actually resign over differences with CEC or with the Modi government, which does the front-seat driving for all supposedly independent institutions? Or did he resign for personal reasons? Or did he, like the Calcutta High Court judge a few days back, resign to contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls on a BJP ticket?”
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said, “It is not the same Election Commission that it was during TN Seshan’s time… In the last 10 years, the Election Commission has been privatised. It has become a branch of BJP.”
CPI-M Polit Bureau said: “On the eve of the general elections, this creates an atmosphere of uncertainty. With the new law on appointment of ECs, the composition of the Election Commission is under the complete control of the government. This situation raises concerns that need to be addressed to ensure credibility of this constitutional entity and its capacity to conduct free and fair polls… Government (must) provide a clear statement on the circumstances in which this situation has emerged.”
Independent MP Kapil Sibal said: “Way cleared to pack the commission with Yes men… Maybe the reasons cited by him that he has resigned for personal reasons are genuine. But, it is unlikely.”AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi demanded: “It would be better if he (Arun Goel) himself or the government would tell the reason.”