Haryana’s main opposition INlD on Wednesday raised objection to the appointment of Rajeev Sharma as the State Election Commissioner, on the grounds that the retired IAS officer had joined a political party and "publicly acknowledged his political affiliations". “Therefore it tantamounts to making a political appointment to a constitutional post,” INlD senior leader Abhay Singh Chautala maintained.
Former Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala-led Indian National lok Dal also said that Sharma's appointment, made two days back by the BJP Government in the State, was "against all established principles and traditions."
In a letter written to Chief Minister Manohar lal Khattar, Abhay mentioned, "It was with great concern and shock that the INlD and the people of Haryana came to know that Rajiv Sharma, retd IAS officer has been appointed State Election Commissioner (SEC)”.
“By making this appointment, the Government has put a question mark on the impartiality and fairness in the functioning of the office of the SEC since the said gentleman had after retirement from civil service opted to choose his democratic right of joining a political party (BJP last year)”.