NEW DELHI, SEPT 28: GVG Krishnamurthy, who is retiring on Thursday after a six-year term as the Election Commissioner, categorically said on Tuesday that he would not join politics."I don't need a position to serve the nation. God has given me enough. I don't want to join politics," Krishnamurthy said soon after he was honoured and given a farewell here after six years of service in the Election Commission (EC)."Some people give up principles for position, but there are people who give up positions to uphold principles," he said, adding "so far, with the grace of God I got many an opportunity to serve the country and I tried my level best to fulfil the responsibility without sacrificing my principles."Announcing his retirement on Saturday, Krishnamurthy had confirmed that despite speculations to the contrary he will not be getting any extension. This leaves CEC MS Gill and the third Election Commissioner, J Lyngdoh, to hold fort till there is a replacement. Asked what he planned to do after hisretirement, Krishnamurthy said being a qualified Supreme Court lawyer he might practice law along with his son.Asked how he felt after retiring from the commission, he said, "Institutions are permanent, but its incumbents are temporary." In a wide-ranging interview on Tuesday, Krishnamurthy advocated amendment to the constitution, vesting the commission with adequate powers to enforce its guidelines and the model code of conduct to ensure free and fair polls in the years to come.``The EC's function is not only to hold elections but to act as a catalyst for bringing about much-needed reforms to make the electoral process more democratic,'' said Krishnamurthy. He answered questions on his running battle with then CEC T N Seshan in the initial years of the multi-member commission, working relations with present CEC M S Gill, his interaction with leaders of various political parties and the urgent need for electoral reforms.The colourful and controversial, Krishnamurthy admitted that he encounteredresistance from his colleagues in bringing about certain reforms, including his objection to issuing of whips by political parties for the election of president and vice-president of India.
