Plea against EC Chawla goes to PM

President APJ Abdul Kalam has referred the NDA's petition urging removal of Election Commissioner Navin Chawla, who has been accused of having links with the Congress, to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

In a memorandum, the NDA had said that Chawla's continuation as an election commissioner would put a question mark on credibility of the election panel during the upcoming polls to the five state assemblies. They demanded his removal for his alleged links with the Congress and the role he played during Emergency.

The NDA had also sent a copy of the memorandum to the chief election commissioner.

Chawla, appointed last year, is accused of receiving over Rs.85 lakh for his family trusts from Congress politicians.