Rahul Gandhi: An 88-minute meeting between PM Narendra Modi and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi set speculations soaring in the Parliament corridors.
Under the rules, the PM, one Union Minister nominated by the PM, and the leader of the opposition are expected to take a call on the top rungs of the Election Commission, Information Commission, and the Vigilance Department.
Rahul Gandhi reached the PMO at 1 pm and the meeting started at 1:7 pm. The senior minister selected by PM Modi was Home Minister Amit Shah.
After 88 minutes, it was revealed that the discussion was about the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and eight Information Commissioners and a Vigilance Commissioner.
Sources said Rahul Gandhi expressed his objection to all the appointments in writing.
Representation Gaps Highlighted by Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi said communities constituting almost 90 percent of the population of the country were practically missing. It is believed that the Leader of Opposition highlighted the near-total absence of candidates from OBC/EBC, Dalit, Adivasi and minority communities. He also flagged the structural barriers restricting marginalized groups from making an entry to the oversight bodies that define accountability frameworks.
Hiralal Samariya served as India’s Chief Information Commissioner till mid-September. Since his retirement, the position of CEC has been lying vacant. Presently, only two Information Commissioners – Anandi Ramalingam and Vinod Kumar Tiwari – are handling the work.
