Chawla’s appointment as CEC unfortunate: BJP

He (Chawla) comes to this office with a whole baggage of history of his past and recent conduct,he added.

“The onus on him to show that he is politically not attached (to Congress) is going to be very heavy. We will continue to watch the situation very closely,” Jaitley said.

He,however,declined to comment if the BJP leadership was of the opinion that the presence of Chawla as CEC could influence the election results saying,“I have nothing to say more than this at this moment.”

He,however,said that the option of going to the court was open for the party on the issue. “All our options are open and we would announce it at an opportune time,” Jaitley said.

BJP-led NDA had been mobilising support against Chawla since he was appointed as EC,alleging his official conduct of being biased to Congress.

Chawla will take over as the Chief Election Commissioner on April 20,succeeding N Gopalaswami who will retire on that day.