Former Gujarat minister Gordhanbhai Zadafia and a one-time friend of Chief Minister Narendra Modi has alleged that the state government does not believe in accountability and transparency. The allegations comes barely 24 hours after Modi announced a fast to unite the people of Gujarat.
Zadafia said the government would soon introduce a Lokayukta Amendment Bill to make the institution ineffective in the state. He had earlier supported the appointment of R A Mehta as the Lokayukta and claimed that there was nothing illegal in Governor Kamla Beniwal appointing him without the without consulting the chief minister or the council of ministers.
“The Gujarat government does not want an independent Lokayukta in the state. The state government is bringing the Lokayukta Amendment Bill and there would be a discussion on the bill on September 26 and 27. It is an attempt to make the Lokayukta institution in Gujarat ineffective and powerless so it can’t act against Narendra Modi,” said Zadafia, who is now the president of Mahagujarat Janata Party (MJP).
Zadafia alleged that state government had appealed before the High Court only to stop the Lokayukta from starting a probe in the scams where Modi was involved. He also challenged Modi to allow the Lokayukta to investigate the charges if he was not involved in any scam.
“The Gujarat Lokayukta Act clearly states that the Governor can independently appoint a Lokayukta. There is no role of the Gujarat government or the chief minister. The comptroller and auditor general (CAG) had pointed out in its report that there were irregularities of Rs 26,667 crore since 2002. Narendra Modi has blocked investigations by not allowing the appointment of a Lokayukta for more than seven years.”
In another development, senior Bharatiya Janata Party leaders have decided to take part in the three-day fast announced by Modi starting from September 17. The decision of L K Advani, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley, general secretary Ravi Shankar Prasad and Syed Shahnawaz Hussain to take part in Modi’s fast gains importance because of the ongoing internal fight within the BJP leadership to project themselves as the Prime Ministerial candidate for the 2014 general elections.