BJP demands firm action on CEC's recommendation on Chawla

With Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami recommending the removal of his colleague Navin Chawla, the BJP today demanded "firm action" on the issue saying the "credibility" of the poll panel is "at stake".

"The credibility of the Election Commission is at stake with the CEC asking for the sacking of one of its members to the President," BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy told PTI.

He also demanded firm action on the issue, saying the development poses a threat to the democratic fabric of the country.

"The Election Commission is now mired in controversy. In absence of a firm action, the fairness of the Commission would become a suspect, posing a threat to democracy and Constitution," he added.

Gopalaswami has recommended the removal of the other Election Commissioner Navin Chawla to the government.

The recommendation comes about three months before Gopalaswami is to demit office on April 20 and is based on a petition by the BJP which had complained against the "partisan" functioning of Chawla.

The BJP had alleged that Chawla was close to the Congress party.