The Government today rejected the Chief Election Commissioner’s recommendation of removing Navin Chawla. The Government said to N Gopalaswami not to behave like a “political boss.”

Law Minister H R Bhardwaj also hinted that Navin Chawla will be the next Chief Election Commissioner in due course. He added that government had a policy to have the senior most Election Commissioner as the CEC and “our policy continues to be the same.”

Bhardwaj also said that the current situation is unfortunate and it should not effect the career of Chawla as appointments in the Election Commission are based on merit.

“We will begin the process to put in place a new CEC well in time” so that the name of the successor of Gopalaswami is clear before he retires on April 20, Bhardwaj mentioned.

Bhardwaj also added,”It is rather unfortunate that when the country is preparing for general elections, such a controversy has been sparked off by him (CEC).” He also said that both are paid equal salaries, enjoy equal status hence they are complementary to each other.