Gujarat HC verdict on Lokayukta a setback to federalism

New Delhi, Jan 18: BJP on Wednesday termed the judgement of the Gujarat High Court upholding the appointment of the state Lokayukta by the governor, as "a set back to federalism".

"The divided judgement of the Gujarat High Court is a setback to federalism. The governor is a nominee of central government. "If a governor gets primacy over the state government on the appointment of Lokayukta, it amounts to Government of India appointing the Lokayukta," Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley told reporters here.

He said the verdict will hurt Lokayukta as an institution. The High Court, in a majority decision, upheld the appointment of Lokayukta by the governor, while dismissing the plea of the state challenging it. The Gujarat government said it will challenge the order in the Supreme Court.

"We accept the verdict of the High Court. But our points remain and we will challenge this decision in the Supreme Court after consultations with legal experts," Gujarat government spokesperson and Health Minister Jaynarayan Vyas said.

PTI