Team Anna warns of campaign in Gujarat over Lokayukta issue

Anand, Mar 15: Team Anna member Kiran Bedi said they would campaign during the Gujarat Assembly polls slated later this year if an independent Lokayukta was not appointed in the BJP-ruled state. She also credited Chief Minister Narendra Modi for rapid development of Gujarat.

"Every citizen of the state should demand from the Chief Minister appointment of a strong and independent Lokayukta before the Assembly election," the former IPS officer said. She was speaking at the 10th annual function of T J Patel Commerce College in Nadiad town of Kheda district. Bedi described Modi as a "strong chief minister" who ushered development in Gujarat. If Lokayukta is not appointed despite public demand, Team Anna members would conduct awareness campaign on the issue during the Assembly polls, she added.

Bedi said Gujarat, where the Lokayukta issue has got into legal tangle, should follow the Uttarakhand model while appointing the state-level anti-corruption ombudsman. "There has been good development in Gujarat under the the Modi government; perhaps better that other states." India's first woman IPS officer also advised the students to get personal, professional and social education for a better life.

PTI