Gopalaswami is believed to be the brain behind the decision to hold a five-phase election for the West Bengal Assembly to ensure fair polls.

Gopalaswami has been chosen for the top job on the basis of his seniority and Election Commissioner Navin Chawla will take the reigns in time for the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.

The government will name Gopalaswami's replacement by June 29 and the names doing the rounds include Home Secretary V K Duggal.

An IAS officer in the Gujarat-cadre of the 1966 batch, Gopalaswami was born in Tanjavur, Tamil Nadu, but for all practical purposes Gujarat has remained his home.

He did his post-graduation in Chemistry from Delhi University and had served in Gujarat in various capacities for 25 years. He was Union Home Secretary since October 2002.

Photograph, courtesy: Election Commission

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