Friday, March 31 2006 19:51 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Even as the Prime Minister remained non-committal in the matter, Congress today (Mar 31, 2006) dismissed the Opposition charge against Election Commissioner Navin Chawla and described him as an 'independent person' who is 'not close to anyone.'

"It is a matter between the Prime Minister and the President. Election Commission is a Constitutional authority. The Party cannot comment on it", party spokesman Rajeev Shukla told sources on the President referring the NDA petition against Chawla to the Prime Minister.

When told that Chawla is under opposition attack for being 'close to 10, Jan Path', he said the Election Commissioner is "an independent person, not close to anyone" and the "party has nothing to do with him."

In reply to another question, he said the Commission has to take a decision about Chawla and the party has nothing to do with him.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh earlier remained non-committal on the Presidential reference of NDA petition demanding the removal of Election Commissioner Navin Chawla.

"I have just got it. I have to think about it," Singh said told sources when asked to comment if the government proposed to look into the issue.

In a memorandum to the President, the opposition NDA contended that Chawla's continuation as Election Commissioner would put a question mark on the credibility of the Election Commission in the upcoming elections to five state assemblies.