Lokayukta is Cong backed: Modi Govt

The Narendra Modi-led government in Gujarat has called the appointment of the state Lokayukta in the Supreme Court, stating that the appeal is against the law. RA Mehta, a former judge of the Gujarat High Court, was recently appointed by the governor.

Naming scheme Kamla governor's decision to appoint Lokayukta in the state, as "biased", the government also blamed the opposition Congress' non-cooperation "for the delay in naming the anti-graft Ombudsman.

Government spokesman Jaynarayan Vyas said: "We do not understand what the need for such a unilateral decision."

He claimed that the delay in the appointment was because of the state government, but by "lack of cooperation" of the Congress.

"According to Rule 3 of the Gujarat Lokayukta Act, the powers of the Lokayukta appointment with the governor is. But this rule can be read in isolation, they must comply with the provisions of the Constitution, which means that the governor is bound to be read to say to act as per the proposal of the Council of Ministers of the Government, had, except in exceptional circumstances, "Vyas told media persons.

"In this case, the governor bypassed the formal process of appointment of the Lokayukta had taken, and a unilateral decision," Vyas, who is also a minister said.

In 2003, finalized the last Gujarat Lokayukta SM Soni. It took the modes government three years to approve a replacement proposal. But three years later, the then Governor of Gujarat rejected the proposal on technical grounds.