Raghav Chadha ‘Declares’ Sambit Patra As Election Commissioner, Jaya Bachchan Laughs

On the Chief Election Commissioner Bill, AAP MP Raghav Chadha stated his views in the house. The principal formula of electing the commissioner might completely change after this bill gets approval in the houses. Explaining the same, the MP said in Rajya Sabha that this bill goes in support of the government and is not a democratic way to pick an election commissioner.

He further said that, as per the Supreme Court, three of the prominent members namely the prime minister, the leader of the opposition, and the chief justice will collectively choose the chief election commissioner of India. However, as per the bill, the chief justice has been replaced with a cabinet minister.

Chadha added that this change is bringing all the mathematics in the favour of the government which may always pick a candidate of their choice in the election commission by 2:1 voting. Of course, no cabinet minister will go ahead to vote against the PM’s choice. So the democratic method is lost.

Taking a jibe at this methodology, Raghav Chadha said that with this formula any candidate, any yes man, even someday Sambit Patra can be the chief election commissioner.

Jaya Bachchan, sitting in the chair split into laughter while hearing this statement. Raghav went on to elaborate on it with more examples.

The bill tabled in the house talks about amendments in the selection process of the members of the election commission, particularly the chief election commissioner.