The crisis sparked by the recommendation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), N Gopalswamy, to the President of India that Election Commissioner (EC) Navin Chawla be relieved of his post due to partisanship has confronted the political system with its moment of truth. Forget the merits or demerits of the CEC’s move. The issue is larger.
The BJP had earlier petitioned for the removal of the EC on a similar charge of partisanship. The BJP naturally supports the CEC’s demand that Chawla be removed from his post. It ridicules the government’s right to decide the issue. The government is an interested party in the dispute. That is reasonable. The BJP claims that only the CEC’s writ should be binding.
However, the CEC’s contention is being criticized by the UPA government for being politically motivated. In the event how can the CEC decide the issue when he himself is being accused of a motivated ruling? The government’s objection is reasonable.
So how can the issue be credibly resolved? The answer is obvious.