NEW DELHI: Congress leaders Kapil Sibal, P Chidambaram and AAP leser Prashant Bhushan attacked the Centre today over its rejection to elevate Justice KM Joseph to the top court by the Supreme Court Collegium, asserting the BJP just wants “judges of its choice” and that the Narendra Modi-led-government considers itself above the law.

Several other well-known lawyers also passed judgment on the Centre on the same issue. However, the BJP replied angrily, stating that the Congress has no moral authority to raise such issues as it also has superseded judges when it was ruling.

Earlier today, senior Congress leader and former finance minister P. Chidambaram tweeted saying he was "delighted" Indu Malhotra is being elevated to the apex court but "disappointed" that Justice Joseph's appointment is at rest.

Chidambaram then wondered why Joseph's elevation is being held on hault.

"What is holding up Justice K M Joseph's appointment? His State or his religion or his judgement in the Uttarakhand case?" he asked on his Twitor handle.

The Uttarakhand case the Congress leader is referring to is the one where the Uttarakhand High Court - with Joseph heading the bench - cancelled the imposition of President's rule in Uttarakhand after the of the Congress government led by Harish Rawat removal from office in 2016.

"They are unwilling to accept the collegium's recommendations but only want judges that are favorable to them," asserted the Congress party's Kapil Sibal at a press conference.

Several prominent advocates also came out to prop up Justice Joseph and against the Govt's move.

"What do legal luminaries who defend the Chief Justice along with the BJP on (against) his impeachment, have to say about the government stalling the appointment of Justice KM Joseph, because he had given the Uttarakhand judgement against the BJP government? Is this not important for independence of judiciary?" advocate Prashant Bhushan tweeted.