In stinging criticism of the Election Commission (EC), Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel questioned the impartiality of the poll panel. Goel, who was issued a notice by the EC for allegedly holding an office-of-profit on Wednesday, rejected the allegations, saying he had never been a member or chairperson of Rogi Kalyan Samitis (RKSs).
Goel was asked to reply on a plea filed by law student Vibhor Anand, in which it is alleged that the MlAs held posts of chairpersons of RKSs of different Government hospitals in Delhi without any sanctity of law and sought their disqualification.
“My name figures at serial number 10 in the list given in original complaint and a further affidavit by the complainant. The fact, however, is that I have never been and nor am I at present, either a chairperson or a member of any of the RKSs,” Goel said.
He said the EC notice was received by him on November 2 and he was asked to give his written statement by November 11. The speaker slammed the EC for wrongly issuing him notice and “maliciously” publicising it to give the impression that he was wrongfully holding an office, to which he was not entitled.