By IANS,
New Delhi : Election Commissioner Navin Chawla Saturday asserted that he has no intention to resign following a reported move by Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami recommending his removal, and said the poll panel has to work “unitedly” to conduct the upcoming general elections.
“Why should I resign?” shot back Chawla when asked by reporters if he would put in his papers in the light of Gopalaswami recommending his removal to the president.
“I have no idea about the letter. I am not aware about this (letter). We have to conduct the upcoming general elections unitedly and with dignity.”
Gopalaswami has reportedly recommended removal of Chawla on grounds that he was partisan.
His letter has sparked a storm in legal circles, with opinion divided if the head of the election panel acted wisely or not – particularly with his own retirement due April 20 and the next Lok Sabha polls in April-May.
Chawla is tipped to succeed Gopalaswami as CEC, being the senior of the other two commissioners.