Tuesday, February 7 2006 13:22 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Former Attorney General Soli J Sorabjee today (Feb 7 2006) suggested that Election Commissioner Naveen Chawla quit his post in the wake of reports that he had taken donations from Congress leaders for a family trust.

"Members of the Election Commission are like Caesar's wife, beyond suspicion. But Mr Naveen Chawla's past associations with a particular party may raise apprehensions about his impartiality (as Election Commissioner) and, therefore, in my opinion, he should put in his papers," Sorabjee told sources.

News reports have suggested several Congress leaders have held out donations worth Rs 85 lakh to trusts run by the family.

The BJP-led NDA has sought Chawla's removal as Election Commissioner, saying his past conduct has raised apprehensions about the impartiality of the high office he holds. Chawla, however, says his family trusts took no donations from any politicians since his appointment as Election Commissioner.