While clarifying that he does not take the verdict as a personal triumph and he has nothing against Thomas, former Chief Election Commissioner of India and a petitioner in the case, J M Lyngdoh said that the impact of the judgment is going to be enormous not only for the CVC but for the whole lot of other posts such as Director CBI, Chief Election Commissioner, etc. “Henceforth, those holding these posts should have good track record,” said Lyngdoh.
The former CEC said, “This is also a message to the political class that they have to be careful while making these appointments.”
Lyngdoh also clarified, “I can never take this judgment as a triumph on my part. I have nothing against Thomas, who used to work under me as Chief Election Officer of Kerala (when Lyngdoh was CEC). I found nothing wanting in him. He was very good. I could not believe, he could be a tainted officer.”
Former cabinet secretary TSR Subramanian termed it “a case much worse than 2G spectum and ISRO”. “It is a red letter day for Constitution and a black day for the Government. The judgment has held the government guilty of the cavalier manner in which the appointment was made, high handedness, carelessness and not looking at protecting the integrity of the institution,” he said.
Former chief vigilance commissioner Pratyush Sinha commented that this was a clear judgment. “We should not suspect the judgment of the Supreme Court. We should be very careful in selecting the people,” he added.