Gujarat Governor appoints Lokayukta bypassing Modi government

Gujarat Governor appoints retired Justice R A Mehta as Lokayukta,bypassing the Modi government.

In an unprecedented move,the Gujarat Governor appointed Retd Justice R A Mehta as Lokayukta of the state,bypassing the Narendra Modi-led BJP government which had kept the post vacant for the last seven years.

Gujarat Opposition Leader Shaktisinh Gohil,who had led a delegation of Congress MLAs to the Governor on the issue of Lokayukta,said,Gujarat Governor Kamla has appointed Retd Justice R A Mehta as Lokayukta late last night.

The name of Justice Mehta was suggested by Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court S J Mukhopadhaya to the state government,but it had not made the appointment till now,he said.

Story continues below this ad

The move by the Governor of bypassing state government in appointment of Lokayukta was taken by her after thorough consultation with legal experts,Gohil said.

Not appointing a Lokayukta for even years was a matter of grave concern,the Governor told us. There was no authority to look into the affairs of the government, he said.

Gohil said according to Rule 3 of the state’s Lokayukta Act,the Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court to suggest the Lokayukta after consultation with the Leader of Opposition.

The Gujarat government has no role to play in the appointment of the Lokayukta,he said.

Story continues below this ad

The Lokayukta Act says the Governor shall appoint the Lokayukta on the Chief Justice’s suggestion,Gohil added.

When Modi has supported Anna Hazare’s movement for the Jan Lokpal Bill,it was a grave fault on his part not to appoint Lokayukta in Gujarat for the last seven years, Gohil said.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram