National Opposition parties have expressed concern over the sudden resignation of election commissioner Arun Goel amid speculation in a section of the media about unspecified “differences” between him and chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar.

As India heads into Lok Sabha elections with a single-member poll panel, the leader of the largest Opposition party in the Lok Sabha — Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury of the Congress — told The Telegraph that he was in the dark over the filling of the two vacant EC posts by a panel that he is part of.

The CPM politburo sought clarity from the Centre. It said in a statement: “On the eve of the general elections to the 18th Lok Sabha, this creates an atmosphere of uncertainty. With the new law on appointment of ECs, the composition of the Election Commission is under the complete control of the government. This situation raises concerns that need to be addressed to ensure the credibility of this Constitutional entity and its capacity to conduct free and fair polls.

“The Communist Party of India (Marxist) demands that the Central government provide a clear statement on the circumstances in which this situation has emerged.”

Under the law on appointments in the EC, passed last year, a two-step process will select election commissioners — in a change from past practice when the Centre unilaterally selected candidates who were appointed by the President.

The law was prompted by an interim verdict of the Supreme Court that created a selection committee headed by the Prime Minister and composed of the leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India. The subsequent law that was enacted replaced the CJI with a cabinet minister nominated by the Prime Minister, in effect, giving the Centre a greater say in appointing ECs.

The Modi government has not yet revealed whether the search committee — headed by the Union law minister — has recommended any names to the selection committee to fill the vacancies left by Anup Chandra Pandey, who retired last month, or Goel. Several news outlets reported on Sunday that the selection panel would meet later this week.

“I have not got any information about this,” Adhir told this newspaper.

AAP Delhi minister Atishi told reporters: “He (Goel) is the one who within 24 hours of his (premature) retirement was made EC by the BJP government…. What kind of manipulation did the BJP ask to do in the elections that their own man could not do and resigned from such a high post?”

Goel did not respond to multiple calls and messages from this newspaper.

A senior EC source rubbished reports of internal differences causing him to quit.

“Commissioners do have different opinions but nothing took place that would cause EC Goel to resign. It is presumed that he has personal reasons. He has had short tenures in most of the postings at the Centre before retirement and he has always come out stronger. He did not give any indication to us as to what were his reasons for resigning or what his future plans are.”

The source added: “He attended all the meetings in Calcutta but could not attend the media conference on Tuesday because he fell very ill. A doctor was called. Even in the flight back with the CEC (chief election commissioner), he was in discomfort. On Thursday, both the CEC and EC Goel met a delegation of international journalists. Only on Friday, EC Goel did not attend the meeting with the Union home secretary as he had already put in his papers.”

The official clarified: “Whether it is a leave application or resignation, it is submitted by election commissioners through the department of personnel and training to the President. It is not submitted to the CEC nor is a copy sent to him.”

Congress MP and communications head Jairam Ramesh tweeted: “1. Did he actually resign over differences with the Chief Election Commissioner or with the Modi Govt, which does the front-seat driving for all supposedly independent institutions? 2. ⁠Or did he resign for personal reasons? 3. ⁠Or did he, like the Calcutta High Court Judge a few days back, resign to contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls on a BJP ticket?"