NEW DELHI: The cold shoulder given by the Chief Election Commissioner, T.N.Seshan, to the two newly-appointed Election Commissioners, M.S.Gill and G.V.G. Krishnamurthy, is Said to have Jed to a confrontation between Seshan and his two new colleagues.

The two members are reported to have stormed out of the Election Commission headquarters, Nirvachan Sadan, on Oct.6 protesting against the “shabby treatment’ meted out to them by Seshan.

Krishnamurthy, when contacted, confirmed that he and Gill were prevented from discharging the functions of Election Commissioner as enjoined in the Presidential Order of October 1.

He said no office facilities were provided to them. When they went to their office, they found that the telephone connections, including the RAX telephone, were not functioning. Moreover, when he reached the office that morning he was told by the officials that the room temporarily allotted to him was locked. Both the new Election Commissioners were made to sit in the room of the Deputy Election Commissioner, who later got their rooms Opened.

‘Petty things’:

Gill, refused to talk about the incident saying that he did not want to get involved petty things Sources, however, said that Gill had met Seshan in his office that morning. No formal talks about distribution of work took place between the two.

When contacted for confirmation of the allegations made by Krishnamurthy, Seshan said “Cross check from the sources from where you have got the news.

Referring to reports of resigning and contesting Kumool Lok Sabha seat vacated by Vijayabhaskara Reddy, he said *no comments.” However, it was evident the time the Government announced the appointment of the two Election Commissioners that Seshan would not take to the decision kindly. His anguish and anger over the decision was reflected in his remark that “Even if 101 Election Commissioners are appointed it will not make such difference.” Those who know Seshan’s nature and temper had sensed the impending ‘storm’ in the poll panel.

It was indicated by them that some sort of crisis might be caused with the appointment of the Election Commissioners with powers and equal to that of the CEC.

The situation caused by Wednesday’s ‘incident’ proved them correct.

Officer shifted: Krishnamurthy felt that the lack of proper work environment and the delay in formulating the norms for transaction of the Commission’s business were obstructing him from performing his duties and obligations in a manner that enhanced the prestige of the office. “We are high constitutional authorities, with a great responsibility,” he said. It was stated by him that the Administrative Officer, who had provided temporary working space for them on Friday, had been shifted, apparently as a measure of punishment.

The treatment meted out to them and the ‘happenings’ at the Nirvachan Sadan are said to be unparalleled because no constitutional authority appointed by the President has ever been treated in the manner they were treated, The incident is viewed as challenge to the appointing authority, according to Krishnamurthy.

Article extracted from this publication >>  October 15, 1993