Panjim: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has come down heavily on the BJP government in Goa for its attempts to amend the Lokayukta Act in order to make it a mere decorative position by rendering it a toothless tiger. AAP added that BJP is doing this only because it wants to continue with its corrupt acts without any hindrance.
While pointing out that his party was formed to rid corruption and fight against it, AAP Goa convener Rahul Mhambre, said they cannot accept any dilution of the powers or scope of the Lokayukta, which is a necessary watchdog over governance and the government.
He lamented that BJP is trying to institutionalize corruption by public functionaries and elected representatives. He also recalled how the previous Lokayukta Justice P K Mishra had passed severe comments on the BJP government in Goa.
He pointed out that Justice Mishra was disgusted with the inaction by the Chief Minister and the Governor to his recommendations had stated “there is no dearth of Dhritarashtra and or Gandhari these days,” referring to the duo.
Fearing such onslaughts, the State government in Goa is now amending the law so that it can appoint any retired High Court lawyer as the Lokayukta in Goa, instead of the earlier clause that said only a retired Supreme Court Judge of Chief Justice of High Court could be appointed to this position.
On this, Mhambre said any “eminent person” as Upalokpal is not only unacceptable as presently only a retired High Court Judge could be appointed and argued that “eminent person” implies that the BJP is creating a position for some of its functionaries to be appointed to the post after their retirement.
One of the strong provisions of the Lokayukta Bill is that if the Lokpal’s report is not rejected within three months of its submission, it would be deemed to have been accepted and the concerned person, be it the CM, MLA or member of any local authority had to vacate office.
“What is alarming is that Pramod Sawant wants to delete this very provision because he knows that he and his ministerial colleagues will have to resign because of their corruption as the earlier Lokpal had already stated that one of Sawant’s cabinet colleagues is not fit to be a minister,” said Mhambre.
He added that the CM, who is currently talking about Swami Vivekananda being his role model, should follow Vivekananda, who was an embodiment of honesty and integrity; and on that note, demanded that he follow his role model in letter and spirit.
He also strongly condemned BJP Goa President Sadanand Tanavade for his statement that Lokayukta was behaving like a “neta” and argued that the ‘Lokayukta who is appointed to be a watchdog against corruption, is not expected to behave like the ruling party’s cheerleader.’
Mhambre said it is clear that the BJP wants the Lokayukta to function at its bidding; and opined that this is not the intent of the institution and said AAP will make it functional by giving Lokpal all the authority and judicial powers to wipe out corruption when it comes to power at the 2022 elections.
