In his first comments on the sudden resignation of Arun Goel as Election Commissioner, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Saturday sought to discount the theory that it had something to do with any differences between the two.
At the press conference held to announce the schedule of the Lok Sabha elections, Kumar was asked a question on the reasons why Goel quit the Commission. In response, th CEC said he thoroughly enjoyed working with Goel, who he described as a “very, very distinguished member of our team”.
He said the personal space of any individual should be protected, in an apparent reference to Goel having quit citing personal reasons.
Apparently referring to the speculation that Goel’s decision to leave had to do with differences between them, Kumar said there is a tradition in the Commission wherein dissent is encouraged.
The CEC said issues are discussed openly in the Commission because “three minds are better than one.”
“We discuss, sleep over issues, take time to assimilate,” he said.
Goel had on March 8 resigned abruptly as Election Commissioner. It was all the more shocking because the development came just before the Commission was to announce the schedule of the Lok Sabha elections. There was no clarity on the reasons behind Goel’s decision to quit.
