"Citizens entitled to know...why Constitutional functionary would step down before elections": Former Standing Counsel to ECI on Arun Goel's resignation

Meenakshi Arora, former Standing Counsel to the Election Commission of India on Sunday said that citizens are entitled to know why Arun Goel resigned as the Election Commissioner just before the announcement of Lok Sabha polls.

Meenakshi Arora, former Standing Counsel to the Election Commission of India on Sunday said that citizens are entitled to know why Arun Goel resigned as the Election Commissioner just before the announcement of Lok Sabha polls. "There has to be transparency, I think we as citizens are entitled to know the circumstances and the reasons as to why a Constitutional functionary would step down at this point in time just before the elections," Meenakshi Arora told ANI.

She further urged Arun Goel to publically reveal the reasons for his resignation from the post. "It is for him to come forward because he was on a constitutional post. It is important for him to inform why he chose to step down. Just before the last elections, Ashok Lavasa stepped down. There is a need of transparency, to clear the air and to know why they are resigning otherwise we don't have any idea about why they are resigning," she said.

Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, Election Commissioner Arun Goel on Saturday resigned from the post. His resignation has been accepted by the President. Weighing in on the surprise resignation of Election Commissioner Arun Goel barely weeks ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday labelled the poll panel as an "extended branch of the BJP".

Speaking to the reporters here on Sunday, Raut hit out at the ruling party at the Centre saying that the Election Commission has been 'privatised' by the BJP. "The Election Commission has become an extended branch of the BJP. It is no longer the same election watchdog as it was during the tenure of (former chief election commissioner) TN Seshan. The Commission, which used to be a reliable polling body, has lost its credibility today. In the last 10 years (under the BJP-led NDA), the Election Commission has been privatised," he said.

Rajya Sabha MP and Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Sunday expressed his 'surprise' over the sudden resignation of election commissioner Arun Goel ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, raising questions over the reason behind the resignation of the poll body's official. Sibal said that there is something "serious on the basis of which Arun Goel resigned at the cusp of an election" when he had three years remaining in his tenure.

"It surely is (surprising). If at the cusp of an election, which is just a couple of months away, you resign - obviously there is something serious on the basis of which he must have resigned. I can't possibly speculate that reason but obviously there is some element of difference of opinion, especially when his term was still not over," the Rajya Sabha MP said. Meanwhile, the election dates are likely to be announced next week.

Goel assumed charge as Election Commissioner (EC) of India on November 21, 2022. He has also worked as Secretary, Ministry of Culture; Vice-Chairman, Delhi Development Authority; Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor, Ministry of Labour and Employment; Joint Secretary, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.The Lok Sabha polls are slated to be held in April-May this year. (ANI)

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