Lokpal-meet: Congress's Mallikarjun Kharge rejects PM Modi's 'special invite'
Congress and BJP are now trading punches on the issue of appointing a Lokpal. Lok Sabha's Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge has declined PM Narendra Modi's invitation of being a "special invitee" at a meeting to pick the anti-corruption watchdog. This meeting would be attended by PM Modi, Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra and LS speaker Sumitra Mahajan. Here's more about it.
What is the Lokpal?
The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2013 was a culmination of a nation-wide protest by the Anna Hazare-led India Against Corruption movement and nearly eight attempts to appoint an anti-corruption ombudsman. It allows for setting up a central Lokpal and state-level Lokayukta. It covers all public servants, including the PM, under its ambit and can direct investigative agencies to probe cases with prima facie evidence.
How is the Lokpal appointed?
As per the 2013 Bill, an eminent jurist must be appointed as Lokpal by a selection committee comprising PM, LS speaker, Opposition leader and CJI. However, this appointment panel was the contentious issue. In April'17, the SC pulled up government for not appointing a Lokpal.
What is the controversy regarding the Opposition leader?
Government has to amend the law substituting Opposition leader with the single-largest Opposition party's leader. LS's largest Opposition party should comprise at least 10% of LS's strength, i.e., 54 of 543 seats to get the Leader of Opposition post. After the 2014 rout, Congress's strength reduced to 44 and now with four bypoll victories, to 48. Either way, Congress isn't eligible for this post.
Now, what is Congress's contention?
Congress claims except Lokpal, Modi's government has made several attempts to change various laws, substituting the leader of Opposition with the leader of the single largest party. Kharge said, "mere presence as a special invitee without rights of participation, recording of opinion and voting would be a eyewash." He accused the government of seeking a paper formality, rather than "meaningful and constructive participation."
"Considering BJP's record, this doesn't come as a surprise"
Congress slammed BJP for keeping the bill in "cold storage." Kharge said, "With BJP's record of not establishing/preserving Gujarat's lokayukta office, this wouldn't come as a surprise." He was referring to then-CM Modi and the governor's tussle over the appointment. He urged PM to act as a statesman and bring in an ordinance to make the change.
Now, what could be the future steps?
The bill amending the law and the Opposition leader clause is pending before Parliament. Also, today's meeting is long overdue. It will discuss the "flaw" relating to the silence on the appointed eminent jurist's term. Thus, the role of the Opposition leader is crucial. Now, will Modi's government reach out to Kharge, assuring him that his opinion will be taken into account?
