Appointing Mishra against spirit of BJP's parliamentary mandate: Congress

Congress Spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi on Saturday said the appointment of Nripendra Mishra as the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's principal secretary is against the spirit of their parliamentary mandate.

"This decision of the government is person specific. This is against the spirit of their parliamentary mandate. When we went for the change of personnel in government offices through constitutional ways, they made a hue and cry over it," said Singhvi.

The Congress has questioned the appointment of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Principal Secretary Nripendra Misra.

On Friday, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley slammed the opposition parties for their remarks over the appointment of Mishra saying Modi has the right to choose his staff.

The BJP government after assuming office had zeroed in on Mishra appointing him as Modi's Principal Secretary after President Pranab Mukherjee signed an ordinance that amended Section 5 (8) of the TRAI Act of 1997 that barred any member of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) from holding a subsequent government position.

Mishra, a 1967 batch Indian Administrative Service officer from Uttar Pradesh cadre, has served in many departments, including TRAI as its Chairman in 2006.