JOIN USModi trains guns on Lokayukta
Days after he ended his three-day fast for communal amity, the Gujarat chief minister will now hold a massive rally in Ahmedabad to protest the appointment of Lokayukta by the governor.
Though the issue would be Lokayukta, the chief minister clearly wants to turn it into a political event to kick start his party’s campaign for the election which is still more than a year away. The party expects to rope in about five lakh people to the rally which is being coined as “Anyaya hatao Gujarat bachao” (get rid of injustice, save Gujarat). Only last weekend, Modi had virtually launched an election campaign with his much-hyped three-day fast for communal harmony — an attempt seen by many political observers as an effort toward image makeover and fast track his political ambition for a larger national role.
Another rally at such a short interval is seen by many as a bid to keep up the momentum generated by the three-day fast, which saw participation of big crowds and many heavyweights from the BJP and allied parties. It may be pointed out that this rally is being held just three days ahead of the next hearing on Modi’s plea against the appointment of Gujarat’s Lokayukta.
Last month, in an apparent snub to the chief minister, Gujarat Governor Kamla Beniwal bypassed his government and appointed retired High Court judge R A Mehta as the state’s new Lokayukta.
The Gujarat government moved the court against the appointment, saying neither Modi nor his government were consulted.
Lokayukta says not party to case
Breaking his silence for the first time Justice R A Mehta who was controversially appointed as the Gujarat Lokayukta by Governor Kamla Beniwal has stated that he has informed the court that he would not respond to the notices issued to him since he is not a party to the case.
Justice Mehta was appointed as the Lokayukta by the governor in August bypassing the Modi government. The decision had triggered a huge political controversy with the BJP top brass even approaching the President calling for the governor’s recall over the issue.