Breach of privilege against me politically motivated: Nand Lal

Mumbai, Apr 12 (UNI) Maharashtra State Election Commissioner Nand Lal today described the breach of privilege notice admitted in the Legislative Assembly against him as ''politically motivated'' and alleged that Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh was behind it.

Addressing a press conference, Mr Lal said the post of State Election Commissioner (SEC) was a constitutional authority and he was not bound to reply to the notice of the breach of privilege against him. ''I can only be impeached under article 124 of the Constitution and removed in case of proven misbehaviour or incapacity,'' he said.

Mr Lal, who was the senior most bureaucrat in the State cadre before his appointment as the SEC, said he had not violated any constitutional norm by issuing a notification under law regarding conduct of election process for Mayors, Deputy Mayors and other posts.

''I have not encroached upon the rights of the Legislature. I just said that the laws passed by the Legislature in this regard have to be followed strictly. These powers were never exercised by the State Election Commision and I am doing just that. Does this amount to breach of privilege?'' he asked.

Mr Lal described the comments made by Congress MLA Prof J C Chandurkar, while moving his breach of privilege notice in the Legislative Assembly on Monday against the SEC and the judiciary, as ''unfortunate.'' He dared the Legislator to repeat the comments outside the House.

''Even though the comments were expunged by the Speaker, the MLA would be liable for legal action for interfering in my work. I am not subordinate of the State Government or Legislature. I am bound by the Constitution and any dispute between two constitutional authorities can be adjudicated by Supreme Court or the High Court alone,'' he said.

More UNI MR GK RL HT1822