Issues of impartiality arise also on account of the Commission's recommendation for the disqualification of Rajya Sabha MP Jaya Bachchan on the grounds that she holds an office of profit as the head of the government-owned UP Film Development Corporation. Similar action is said to be contemplated with regard to the Samajwadi Party leader, Amar Singh, who heads the UP Development Commission. These would be fine, except that it has been alleged that people from other parties have held similar posts without attracting the Commission's notice""so is there equality before the law? Another issue is the fact that trusts connected to the Election Commissioner, Navin Chawla, have received donations (before he joined the Commission) from Congress MPs. Mr Chawla is in line to become the Chief Election Commissioner at the time of the next general elections. Even though he has committed no impropriety, it is only natural that questions will be there in people's minds. The point is that the Commission has acquired a certain legitimacy in the public eye, and it would be an abiding tragedy if that is lost in any way. |