Will file complaint with Lokpal against PM: AAP

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 18

The AAP has decided to file complaints over alleged corruption under relevant laws against Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi in the Rafale fighter jets multi-crore deal and Sahara-Birla diaries with the soon to be appointed India’s first Lokpal.

Though the AAP welcomed the announcement of former SC judge Pinaki Chandra Ghose as Lokpal, it claimed the move to be an election gimmick. It slammed the PM over the years-long delay claiming he was “scared of putting himself under scrutiny of the Lokpal”.

Addressing reporters, Party’s Delhi convener Gopal Rai claimed that the BJP promised Lokpal before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, but did “not” take any step for appointment of the anti-corruption ombudsman and was “forced” to do it only after the active intervention of the Supreme Court.

Rai questioned the timing and referred to Modi’s slogan “na khaunga na khaane doonga” when he asked the reason for the “delay” in appointment of the Lokpal.

The AAP leader also alleged the Modi government obstructed the efforts of the Delhi government in setting up the Delhi Lokpal over the four years.

Rai said, “The AAP will seek independent probe in Rafale deal and Sahara scam from the Lokpal.”

Remember it was the Anna-led movement which began in 2011 which brought the issue to spotlight forcing the then Congress-led UPA government to enact the Lokpal Act in 2013.

The AAP alleged that first the UPA government and then its successor, NDA governments at the Centre, resisted the appointment of the Lokpal, to prevent investigations into corruption by those occupying high offices.

The act envisages establishment of anti-graft ombudsman at the Centre and the Lokayuktas in states to look into cases of corruption involving certain categories of public servants.

Justice Ghose, who retired from the Supreme Court in May 2017, is a member of the National Human Rights Commission since June last year.

Prior to his selection by the panel headed by the PM, a controversy erupted as Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge had boycotted the panel’s meet on grounds that he was invited as a “special invitee” while the selection committee does not have provision for the same.

Headed by the PM, the Lokpal selection panel comprises the Lok Sabha Speaker, Leader of the Opposition in the Lower House, the Chief Justice of India or a judge of the apex court nominated by him, and an eminent jurist to be nominated by the President or any other member.