Govindacharya flays Narendra Modi over Lok Ayukta

Former BJP leader KN Govindacharya on Sunday hit out at Chief Minister Narendra Modi for shying away from appointing a Lok Ayukta in the state though the party at the national level supported Anna Hazare's agitation for a Jan Lokpal Bill (JLB) to curb corruption among ministers and government functionaries.

"A brilliant student should not be afraid of examination," said Govindacharya while talking about the differences between Governor Dr Kamla and Chief Minister Modi over the issue of appointment of the Lok Ayukta.

Govindacharya, a political organiser and once part of BJP think tank, was on visit to the state to address a workshop of the Mahagujarat Janata Party (MJP). He gave lessons on political organisation to MJP workers at Preksha Vishwabharti campus in Gandhinagar.

He said that the episode (of Lok Ayukta appointment) had lowered the image of the BJP-ruled Modi government. "A brilliant student is never afraid of exam and I am confident that Modi will show the confidence. The controversy should be solved through dialogue."

He also said, "One should not raise doubt over the legislative power of the Governor who is representative of the President. Big leaders of the party should intervene in the issue and Modi should seek help from a senior leader whom he believes to be senior to him."

Replying to a question on corruption in Gujarat with respect to industrialisation, Govindacharya said, "I'm not able to find out truthfulness, but what impression is coming out in Delhi is that, over-centralisation of functioning is prevailing; secondly, unnecessary and improper benefits are being given to industrial houses and big BJP leaders. It is up to the Gujarat government to clear their impression."

MJP president Gordhan Zadafia said, "The Modi government has not accepted the governor’s ruling to appoint Lok Ayukta though the chief justice of Gujarat gave his concurrence on the matter. MJP plans agitation from next week over the issue."