Monday, May 9 2005 21:53 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Sticking to his stand that two Election Commissioners should step down for "acting at the behest" of BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) and RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) to countermand Chapra polls, RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) chief Laloo Prasad today (May 9, 2005) said his party has given notice to the Lok Sabha Secretariat for a special discussion to ensure that the dignity and integrity of the EC was maintained.

Laloo, who had a 15-minute meeting with Congress president Sonia Gandhi in Parliament, told reporters that it was for the Government to initiate action on the matter in the wake the allegations made by senior IAS officer L V Saptarishi against the two Commissioners B B Tandon and N Gopalaswamy.

"I want that the two Election Commissioners should step down on their own after the charges made by Saptarishi, who was in-charge of the Lok Sabha polls in Bihar and under whom there were nine IAS officers.

"Do not believe me but you have to believe what Saptarishi as a senior observer has to say," Laloo observed without giving details of his conversation with Gandhi.

Replying to a question on the issue, Laloo said, "My stand before Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Law Minister H R Bhardwaj has been that the institution of Election Commission is bigger than any individual.

"My demand is that they should step down and the EC should be reconstituted to maintain its secular and democratic character.... A decision as to the action to be taken will be that of the Government," he said accusing BJP leaders L K Advani and Arun Jaitley of having influenced the Commission.

Laloo said his party has given a notice to the Lok Sabha Secretariat for a discussion in the House on maintenance of dignity and independence of the Commission.

Asked if his party would press for impeachment of the two Commissioners, the Railway Minister said "we will see it later."

Maintaining that Saptarishi's letter was "timely", Laloo alleged that the two Commissioners "wanted to teach a lesson to him and his Yadav community whether in Bihar or elsewhere".

To a question on Law Minister denying receiving any letter written by Saptarishi, he said, "it would be better if you believe as responsible officer like Saptarishi."