Process of CBI Director selection in conflict procedure: Adhir Chowdhury
New Delhi, May 24: Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Monday accused the government of adopting a "casual and superficial" approach in selecting the new CBI director and questioned the shortlisting process, saying it is in conflict with the mandate of the selection committee.
Chowdhury, who is the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, is one of the three members of the high-powered panel to select the new director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Justice of India NV Ramana are its other two members.
The Congress leader said that out of the total 109 names shortlisted for the post, there are some pensioners also.
"I have raised objections to the selection process, as it is in conflict with the mandate of the selection committee," Chowdhury told PTI.
"I have raised objections on the procedural lapses. It is the mandate of the selection committee to omit or include names of candidates for the post, then how can the DoPT (department of personnel and training) do such shortlisting," he said.
"The DoPT should not adopt a casual and superficial approach in the selection process," Chowdhury said.
During a 90-minute meeting of the panel on Monday, Chowdhury disagreed with the procedure adopted, saying it is the committee which has to select and omit the names of probables.
He said that a total of 109 names were first sent at 1 pm to him without any executive sheet giving details of their work experience.
Chowdhury said later a list of 10 names were sent to him at 4.30 pm, which included five who were pensioners, had retired from service and were on extension.
Later six more names out of the list of 109 names were sent, he said.
Chowdhury raised strong objections to the approach adopted by the DoPT in the process.
During the meeting, the Congress leader sought deferment of the selection process, but the other two members said they wanted to move ahead with the appointment and Chowdhury disagreed with them, sources said.
The post of CBI director is vacant since the then incumbent Rishi Kumar Shukla retired on February 4 after a two-year stint.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
