Taxing time for EC on Sonia's disqualification episode

On the question of issuing disqualification notice to Congress president and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi for receiving the ‘Order of Leopold’ the second highest civilian award in Belgium and an honorary doctorate by the Belgian government, the office of Election Commission seems to be divided.

The body of trio met on Monday to hold discussion on the disqualification issue, but concluded without taking concrete and common resolution.

As per media sources, the Chief Election Commission and his two fellows could not take a common decision because of difference of opinion holding by them. While one of the members had opinion that there was no any problem in issuing notice to Gandhi and seeking her comments before disposing off the matter, the other member Naveen Chawla reportedly felt there was no need for issuing such notice.

The body now might meet on Tuesday. The EC Naveen Chawla reportedly held the opinion that to go into the detail of the complaint and so the commission decided to postpone the decision till Tuesday, when they would meet again.

The ‘Order of Leopold,’ which is the second highest civilian award in Belgium and an honorary doctorate by the Belgian government was conferred on Sonia Gandhi for her "constructive nationalism" and her efforts to foster a multicultural, tolerant society in India during her visit to the European country in November 2006.

An individual petitioner, an advocate from Kerala had complaint to former president, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, which was subsequently forwarded to the Election Commission. The petitioner was of the opinion that receiving Belgian honour amounted to owing allegiance to that country.

The Election Commission gives its opinion on such complaint, which is binding to the President.

Earlier caught on the office-of-profit controversy, which held Sonia Gandhi positioned on the top seat of National Advisory Committee (NAC) besides being a member of parliament. Consequently Gandhi resigned from the Lok Sabha seat, contested, and won again her seat.

The Congress party spokesperson said that the complaint against Ms. Gandhi was similar to South African leader Nelson Mandela for being awarded the Bharat Ratna, when the South African government was asked to exile or disqualifies him.

“The Election Commission will use its discretion and reach an appropriate decision in the matter,” said Singvi and added, “the complaint has no basis.”

Whatever decision Election Commission takes, but the episode certainly have given air to the recent controversy that E C member Naveen Chawla was acting on the behalf of Congress. The BJP had re-submitted petition to the Chief Election Commissioner asking for the sack of Chawla, alleging him the puppet of the Congress-led UPA government.