EC splits; Naveen Chawla to be dismissed

New Delhi, Jan 31: The Election Commission has been spilt just few weeks before the LokSabha elections, according to a report in the national daily, Hindu. The report further states that the Central Election Commission has recommended the dismissal of Election Commissioner Navin Chawla for 'partisanship'.

Chawla, according to sources had to succeed Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) N Gopalaswami who was to retire from services w.e.f April 20. The President has forwarded the CEC's missive to Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh.

This is not the first time Chawla was shwoing such an attitude.

In 2006, the BJP, too, had submitted a petition to then President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam seeking Chawla's removal as Election Commissioner under Article 324 Section(5) of the Constitution.

The petition was forwarded to the Prime Minister but rested there. The BJP had then taken the matter to the Supreme Court, but withdrew their petition in August 2007 as the arguments hit a dead end.

The Hindu Editor, N Ram has confirmed to the news channel, CNN IBN that the above report is true.

OneIndia News (With inputs from Agencies)