Monday, May 16 2005 11:08 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: B B Tandon, senior-most Election Commissioner, today (May 16, 2005) assumed charge as the 14th Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).

The 1965 batch Himachal Pradesh cadre IAS officer succeeded T S Krishna Murthy who retired yesterday (May 15, 2005).

Talking to reporters soon after assuming the new responsibility, Tandon said the developments over the last one-week following allegations made by bureaucrat L V Saptarishi over countermanding of the Chapra Lok Sabha polls have been "most unfortunate".

He said that he felt it was a "deliberate and calculated attempt" to denigrate and undermine the credibility, political neutrality and fair-mindedness of the Election Commission.

"The scurrilous allegation that we made certain derogatory remarks against a particular community and that we wanted to teach a lesson to a particular leader is most reprehensible."

"Once again, I reiterate my denial of that allegation with all vehemence at my command and wish to emphatically state that I hold all castes, communities, tribes, religions and political parties in high esteem in true secular and democratic spirit," he said.