Congress asks Modi to appoint Lokpal in Gujarat

Taking a dig at Narendra Modi, the Congress on Friday said that instead of trying to cash in on activist Anna Hazare's campaign against corruption, the Gujarat chief minister should first appoint a Lokpal in the state.

Leader of Opposition Shaktisinh Gohil said, "It is an irony that Modi is talking about the campaign by Hazare when he has not appointed a Lokayukta in Gujarat".

Gohil was referring to the statements made by Modi while addressing a public rally in Assam on Thursday, where he had reportedly said that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement on social activist Anna Hazare's fast had created an Emergency like situation.

Gohil alleged that no Lokpal has been appointed after Modi took over as the chief minister.

Giving details of the appointment of a new Lokpal, he said that as per the provisions of the Lokayukta (Lokpal) Act, the chief justice of Gujarat had already recommended the name of the Lokayukta to the state governor, who had approved it.

"In such a situation, the Gujarat government only needs to announce the appointment (but it has not). As per the law, the chief minister cannot make any change in the name. He has an ulterior motive in not announcing the name," Gohil alleged.

The issue of appointment of Lokpal was also raised in the recently concluded assembly session of the state.