Chawla refutes being close to Congress

Agencies

New Delhi: Election Commissioner Navin Chawla, whose removal has been recommended to the Government by CEC N Gopalswami, refuted allegations that he was partisan towards Congress.

Chawla said the EC has conducted "flawless" elections for the past several years. "We will continue to do so."

"The dignity of the Commission is paramount," said Chawla on being asked about Gopalswami's recommendation to the Government seeking his removal based on BJP's petition which had complained of his "partisan" functioning.

Asked whether he contemplated quitting, Chawla said "I am not even aware of the CEC recommendations. I do not want to say anything."

The controversy has erupted nearly two months before Gopalaswami's tenure ends. Chawla, the senior-most Election Commissioner, was considered as the natural choice for the top post when Gopalaswami demits office on April 20.

Gopalaswami recommends Chawla's removal

Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami has recommended to the government removal of the other Election Commissioner Navin Chawla.

The recommendation comes about three months before Gopalaswami is to demit office on April 20 and is based on a petition by the BJP which had complained against the "partisan" functioning of Chawla. Gopalaswami said that "he had only done his job."

The Chief Election Commissioner's recommendation ahead of the general elections brings to the fore the differences among the three-member body which has often been marred by clashes over crucial decisions.

The recommendation comes about three months before Gopalaswami is to demit office on April 20 and is based on a petition by the BJP which had complained against the "partisan" functioning of Chawla.

The BJP meanwhile demanded "firm action" on the issue saying the "credibility" of the poll panel is "at stake". "The credibility of the Election Commission is at stake with the CEC asking for the sacking of one of its members to the President," said BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy.

He also demanded firm action on the issue, saying the development poses a threat to the democratic fabric of the country. "The Election Commission is now mired in controversy. In absence of a firm action, the fairness of the Commission would become a suspect, posing a threat to democracy and Constitution," he added.

Only last year, Chawla had raised serious objections to the holding of the Karnataka assembly elections in May but was overruled by a 2-1 division in the Commission.