Chief Election Commissioner Navin Chawla brushed aside the criticism of the EC by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati and reminded her that she had herself appreciated the conduct of the 2007 Assembly polls. "Ms Mayawati herself had come to the Election Commission on a Sunday in 2007 and spent one hour (with us) and congratulated the EC for conducting a free,fair and transparent election (in the state)," Chawla said after taking over as the new CEC. "The UP elections was a watershed election as you know. I don't want to say further," he told reporters. He was responding to Mayawati's allegation that the Commission was working on the directions of Congress. Mayawati alleged that Chawla and Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi were "active members of the Congress coterie and under such circumstances,free and fair elections are not possible in the country". "I would like to say that the EC officials are acting on the directives of the Congress and its allies. The EC under political pressure is trying to stop BSP from gaining power despite the party having peoples' support in its favour," Mayawati said in Lucknow. Navin Chawla takes over as CEC On Tuesday,Navin Chawla took over as the new Chief Election Commissioner succeeding N Gopalaswami,who not long ago had recommended his removal from Nirvachan Sadan sparking a huge political controversy. Power Secretary V S Sampath also took over as the third Election Commissioner following the elevation of Chawla. 64-year-old Chawla,who was the senior-most Election Commissioner after Gopalaswami in the three-member panel,will remain in office till June 29 next year when he turns 65. The Chief Election Commissioner,a Constitutional post,enjoys a term of six years or till the age of 65 years,whichever is earlier. He is the first CEC,who took over in the midst of a five-phased Lok Sabha elections and will oversee four phases of the polls. The elevation of Chawla,who was appointed as Election Commissioner on May 13,2005,comes after a controversy triggered by Gopalaswami's recommendation to the President for his removal from office for alleged partisan functioning. The government had not only turned down Gopalswami's recommendation but had even announced on March four that Chawla would succeed him as CEC. While demitting office on Monday after an eventful stint,Goplaswami wished Chawla "a very bright tenure". Chawla had earlier served in various capacities in the government during his chequered career,the last being Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. He has also served as Secretary to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Chawla was secretary to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi at the time of Emergency. He has authored a number of books,including an authorised biography of Mother Teresa which became popular internationally. Chawla is also a recipient of the Italian government's Mazzini Award,instituted in honour of writer Giuseppe Mazzini,for his contribution to promoting ties between India and Italy.
