Thaindian News

Gandhinagar, April 18 (IANS) The Congress Monday accused Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi of stalling the appointment of Lokayukta in the state as the ombudsman can probe corruption by the state government.

Leader of Opposition im the assembly Shaktisinh Gohil slammed as “false propaganda” the official statement that painted the Congress as villain of the piece in the appointment of Lokayukta in Gujarat.

Gohil was categorical that it was the chief minister who has stalled the appointment. “This is merely because the Lokayukta can probe corruption by the chief minister and his council of ministers,” he said.

Gohil pointed out that “the law is very clear that the governor has to appoint Lokayukta in consultation with the chief justice and leader of opposition. There is no provision for any kind of involvement of chief minister or his cabinet in the appointment of Lokayukta”.

Explaining the provision, Gohil said, “This is to safeguard the institution of Lokayukta because Lokayukta has power to investigate against chief minister and his ministers.”

Gohil said he had explained this legal fact to the chief minister through his letter of March 3, 2010, when Modi continued to interfere in the appointment process. Gohil released a copy of the letter to the media.

The chief justice of the Gujarat High Court last year suggested the name of Justice S.D. Dave and as leader of opposition, Gohil gace his consent. On the basis of this, the governor forwarded the name of Justice Dave to the government.

“But Modi preferred to sit on the file. He claims himself to be honest. But he is preventing the appointment of Lokayukta. This shows that he is indulging in corruption at a massive scale and all this is to prevent exposure of his multi-billion-rupee scandals,” he alleged.

Gohil said the chief minister has even failed to respond to two reminders by the governor.