Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge questioned the circumstances surrounding Goel’s resignation, emphasizing the reduction of the Election Commission to only one Commissioner while crucial elections loom. He warned that if the trend of weakening independent institutions persists, democracy in India may give way to dictatorship.
Kharge raised questions about the delay in appointing a new Election Commissioner after Goel’s departure and called for an explanation from the Modi government. He expressed concerns about the new process of selecting Election Commissioners, asserting that it has given disproportionate power to the ruling party and the Prime Minister.
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Congress General Secretary Organisation K C Venugopal echoed these concerns, stating that Goel’s resignation on the eve of the Lok Sabha elections is deeply troubling for the health of India’s democracy. He criticized the lack of transparency in the functioning of constitutional institutions like the Election Commission and highlighted the alleged pressure exerted by the government.
Venugopal pointed to the past example of Ashok Lavasa’s dissent during the 2019 elections and subsequent inquiries, suggesting a pattern of the regime attempting to undermine democratic traditions. He called for an explanation and stressed the need for the Election Commission to remain completely non-partisan.
The resignation of Goel leaves the three-member Election Commission with only one member, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, after the earlier retirement of Anup Chandra Pandey. The Congress party’s statements underscore broader concerns about the independence and functioning of crucial democratic institutions in the country.