Amar Singh questions conduct of Navin Chawla

New Delhi, Mar 22 (UNI) Questioning the conduct of Election Commissioner Navin Chawla, Samajwadi party leader Amar Singh today alleged he was operating at the behest of a ''political party'' and his continuance in the Election Commission would put a question mark on the credibility of the constitutional body.

''The partisan and biased attitude of Mr Navin Chawla does not augur well for the august office of the Election Commission. It seems he is operating at the behest of only one political party and personal interest,'' Mr Singh stated in a letter addressed to President A P J Kalam.

Mr Singh said the Chawla's holding of post was discussed in both Houses of Parliament and was condemned by them. ''It is an irony of fate that the same gentleman is holding the post of Election Commissioner.'' He further stated that ''all cases of complaints should be referred to the Parliamentary Committee on Office of Profit and Mr Chawla should be debarred from taking up any of these complaints''.

Mentioning the adjournment of both Houses of Parliament today, in the letter, Mr Singh said, ''This decision was to bring an ordinance that was not possible during the ongoing session, clearly proving a deliberate attempt to restrain you from taking up the complaints against members of the ruling party.'' Mr Chawla has been in the eye of a storm for his alleged links with the Congress.

Mr Chawla, who was appointed Election Commissioner last year, is accused of having received funding for his family trusts from Congress politicians.

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