LG Najeeb Jung, Arvind Kejriwal not on same page as new name comes up in Lokayukta search

NEW DELHI: With the name of retired Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh High Court, Nisar Ahmad Kakru, doing the rounds for the Delhi Lokayukta's post, the tussle between the Lt Governor and the Arvind Kejriwal government could take a new turn as the ruling AAP is opposed to the candidate.

Lt Governor Najeeb Jung is to hold a consultation tomorrow featuring, among others, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to select a candidate for the post.

The Law Department of AAP government has proposed a panel of three names vis-a-vis the appointment of Lokayukta -- retired Chief Justice of Orissa High Court, Bilal Nazki, retired Chief Justice of Haryana and Punjab High Court, Jasbir Singh, and retired judge of Delhi High Court, Reva Khetrapal.

But sources said that Kakru's name, too, is doing the rounds.

"The government will oppose Kakru, whose name has come up in connection with the search for a new Lokayukta," sources said.

Delhi government will oppose Kakru's name for the post that has been lying vacant since November, 2013, over the issue of certain allegations against him.

As per Delhi Lokayukta and Uplokayukta Act, 1995, the Lokayukta is appointed after consultations among the chief justice of high court, the chief minister and the leader of opposition in Delhi Assembly.

BJP has sought to corner the AAP government alleging that it was delaying the appointment of Lokayukta.

The government had told high court in the last hearing that all steps will be taken to ensure that the Lokayukta is appointed by the end of October.

In August this year, former Law Commission Chairman and former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court, AP Shah, had turned down the Kejriwal government's offer to appoint him as the new Delhi Lokayukta.

The last Lokayukta, Justice (Retd) Manmohan Sarin, had relinquished office in November, 2013, following a five-year term.