Breach of privilege against Election Commissioner Nandlal admitted

Mumbai, Apr 10 (UNI) A breach of privilege notice by Prof J C Chandurkar (Cong) against State Election Commissioner Nandlal, for undermining the authority of the Lower House, was today admited by Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Babasaheb Kupekar.

Prof Chandurkar alleged that the seniormost bureaucrat had subverted the existing laws, passed by the Assembly, according to his own interpretations regarding the election process to local bodies.

He said the Election Commissioner had the powers only to conduct the poll process.

Mr Kupekar said prima facie he found the notice admissable and has forwarded it to the privileges committee, stating that the report should be submitted in the next legislature session.

Prof Chandurkar said Nandlal had issued a notification making changes in the existing laws regarding local bodies election process without taking the State government and the Assembly into confidence.

The Congress member said Mr Nandlal, using his constitutional authority, had tried to make changes in the existing laws and got the notification issued in the Special Gazzette published in newspapers.

Mr Subhash Desai (Sena) said the State government could have moved the Supreme Court if it did not agree with decisions taken by Mr Nandlal.

However, the Speaker said the notice has been admitted and there can be no discussions.

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