Remove Navin Chawla as Election Commissioner: SP

Lucknow, Mar 23: The Samajwadi Party, demanding removal of Election Commissioner Navin Chawla from the important post today (Mar 23, 2006) alleged that he was severely reprimanded by the Shah Commission for his anti-democratic role during the Emergency.

SP general secretary and parliamentary board leader Ram Gopal Yadav addressing a press conference here said it was a surprise that the Centre had appointed Mr Chawla to an important post, despite the Shah Commission making an observation that he cannot be given a ''responsible post.'' Mr Yadav, quoting the Shah Commission report on the Emergency which was accepted by the government in 1978, said a former Lt Governor of Delhi had submitted before the Commission that Mr Chawla, the then secretary to him, was dictating terms on official matters.

In another instance, Mr Chawla during the emergency period had even directed the Tihar Jail Superintendent to construct asbestos roof tops in some cells, so that hardcore political leaders could be kept there during the hot summer.

Yesterday, party general secretary Amar Singh had written to President A P J Abdul Kalam, stating that the ''partisan and biased attitude'' of Mr 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 added.

Mr Singh said that Mr Chawla's holding the important EC post was discussed in both houses of Parliament and condemned. ''It is an irony of fate that the same gentleman is still holding the post of Election Commissioner.'' Mr Chawla, who was appointed Election Commissioner last year, is also accused of having received funding for his family trusts from Congress politicians.

UNI