Date:08/02/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/02/08/stories/2004020805460800.htm

National

Lyngdoh lays down office

The outgoing Chief Election Commissioner, J. M. Lyngdoh (centre), receiving bouquets from his successor, T. S. Krishnamurthy (right), and the Election Commissioner, B.B. Tandon, in New Delhi on Saturday. — PTI

NEW DELHI, FEB. 7. The Chief Election Commissioner, J.M. Lyngdoh, today demitted office and left the Capital by his personal car for his retirement home in Hyderabad.

``I was fortunate and had very good colleagues. Conducting elections in Jammu and Kashmir was a high watermark," he told reporters at his 11 Safdarjung Road residence.

Bidding goodbye to the CEC-designate, T.S. Krishna Murthy, and the Election Commissioner, B.B. Tandon, and a large number of journalists, Mr. Lyngdoh boarded his Toyota Qualis with his wife and three pet dogs for company for the more than 1,500-km journey.

``The signs are not good at the moment. If you have more educated people as candidates, may be things will improve," he said in reply to a question. Asked to comment on his remarks describing politicians as ``cancer,'' which invited condemnation from political parties, Mr. Lyngdoh quipped: ``I am told quite a number of them liked those comments." — PTI