A 1988-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Kerala cadre, the 61-year-old Kumar has held several high-profile and sensitive positions throughout his career.Before moving to the Election Commission last year as one of its commissioners, he retired as Secretary of the Ministry of Cooperation, his last role in government service. Kumar is reportedly close to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was one of the members in the selection panel which appointed him.The Congress has slammed the “hurried” appointment of Kumar as a violation of the “basic spirit of the Constitution” and “contempt of court.”The Supreme Court is set to hear the case pertaining to the appointment of the CEC and election commissioners (EC) under the 2023 law on Wednesday.Kumar’s appointment comes ahead of crucial elections including Bihar Assembly polls later this year and elections in West Bengal, Assam, and Tamil Nadu in 2026.(With inputs from PTI)
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