CEC appointment in controversy

CEC appointment in controversy 2009-03-05 06:21:36 - BJP with tough words for appointment of Navin Chawal as next CEC is beginning of new debate on keeping touch the sovereignty within institution of constitution:"The appointment of Navin Chawla is an affront to the Indian democracy. It is unfortunate that he has now been appointed as the Chief Election Commissioner," party general secretary Arun Jaitley told reporters here on Wednesday. Chawla comes to this office with a whole baggage of history of his past and recent conduct,."The onus on him to show that he is politically not attached (to Congress) is going to be very heavy. We will continue to watch the situation very closely," Jaitley said.

Election Commissioner Mr Navin Chawla to take over as the next Chief Election Commissioner on 20th April, due to his seniroity and thereby succeeding Mr N Gopalaswami who retires on that day.President Mrs Pratibha Devisingh Patil has approved the name of Mr Chawla for the post. Mr Chawla, an IAS officer of the 1969 batch, will hold charge till 29th
of July, 2010 when he will attain the age of 65 years.With the name of his appointment the NDA-BJP has raised their displeasure for his intend to freeze the BJP symbol in geight of CD controversy:

The elevation of Mr Chawla comes after a controversy triggered by Mr Gopalaswami's recommendation to the President for his removal from office for alleged partisan functioning.

Mr Chawla has been elevated to CEC's post on the advice of the government which had rejected Mr Gopalaswami's plea for his removal, saying there was no merit in the allegations against the Election Commissioner. Mr Chawla in continuance as Election Commissioner has been challenged in the Supreme Court. Supreme court bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan has decided to hear petition seeking a direction for implementation of recommendations of Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswamy for his removal and the petition filed by the United Communist Party of India, on the 20th March 2009.

The appointment of Mr Navin Chawla as the next Chief Election Commissioner, has been descibed by the BJP as unfortunate. BJP leader Mr. Arun Jaitely alleged that political parties have questioned Mr. Chawla's impartiality to hold a Constitutional post.

Author:
Naresh Sagar
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