BJP demands Gujarat Governor Kamla Beniwal recall; Parliament adjourned

NEW DELHI: BJP on Tuesday accused Gujarat Governor Kamla Beniwal of being partisan and described her decision to appoint RA Mehta as Lokayukta without Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s consent as a breach of constitutional norms. The party raked up the issue in both Houses of Parliament and demanded her immediate recall.

The confrontation between BJP and Congress on the issue led to disruption of business in both Houses of Parliament. While BJP’s parliamentary party leader LK Advani spearheaded the attack in the Lok Sabha, the issue was raised in the Rajya Sabha by leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley.

They said the Governor had bypassed the state government in appointment of the Lokayukta violating Article 163 of the Constitution which states that the Governor should act on the advice of the Council of Ministers. BJP leaders will be meeting President Pratibha Patil on September 2 with their complaint.

BJP sought suspension of question hour to raise the issue. It alleged that the governor had acted at the behest of New Delhi. As soon as the Lok Sabha met, BJP members trooped into the well, waving placards and shouting slogans against the appointment of the Lokayukta. The House was adjourned till noon.

During zero hour, amid frequent interruptions from Congress benches, Advani said this was the first time that a governor had appointed a Lokayukta without consulting the chief minister. “We are going to approach the President, seeking recall of the Governor,” he said. When Congress’ Jagdish Thakur attacked BJP raising the acquittal of all 12 accused in the murder case of former Gujarat Home Minister Haren Pandya, the Opposition party protested forcing adjournment of the House.

Arun Jaitley said in the Rajya Sabha that it was a textbook case of Centre’s interference in the state. “A governor who acts in such an unconstitutional manner has no right to continue for a single moment,” he said. BJP members shouted slogans seeking a response from the Prime Minister.