Navin Chawla will be the next CEC: Law Minister

New Delhi, Feb 2: Slamming N Gopalaswami's recommendation to remove his colleague, NavinChawla, Law Minister, HR Bhardwaj on Monday, Feb 2 said that Gopalaswami should mind his job and should not behave like a 'political boss'.

Stating that such internal tussle was persistent ever since Navin Chawla was appointed as the Election Commissioner, Bhardwaj said he had received the file on the matter and said "I have to see what is new in the matter".

"Gopalaswami should do his work in EC and not become a political boss. CEC's power is only to conduct to free and fair elections and he should work in cooperation with his colleagues ," he said.

The Minister also said that the CEC did not posses any constitutional right to write to the President seeking the removal of EC. "It is true that the President appoints the Election Commissioner and any action or any advice can be given only when the President requires," he said.

Asked if the government had taken any decision on the Chief Election Commissioner's recommendation to remove Chawla, he said, "It is unfortunate that the CEC is dragging the highest office of Election Commission to a controversy when elections are around. I have received the copy of CEC's letter to President through the Prime Minister's Office. We will examine and give appropriate reply".

"Appointment of the new CEC will happen as per schedule. Navin Chawla is the senior most person and as far as appointment of CEC is concerned the precedent will follow," Bhardwaj added.

OneIndia News (With inputs from Agencies)