UP Gov Ram Naik & CM Akhilesh Yadav lock horns over Lokayukta’s appointment

LUCKNOW: The confrontation between UP governor Ram Naik and chief minister Akhilesh Yadav escalated further on Friday with the state government sending back to the Raj Bhawan a file related to the appointment of new Lokayukta and Naik returning it just a few hours later, asking the government to seek Allahabad HC Chief Justice's consent.

On Thursday , the state government had sent for governor's approval the file for appointment of Justice Ravindra Singh Yadav as the new Lokayukta. He returned it on Thursday itself, raising some questions about the appointment process and seeking details of the exchange between the government and the chief justice who had earlier raised objection about Yadav's appointment as the ombudsman.

The ding dong battle between the chief minister's office and the Raj Bhawan continued on Friday with an unrelenting government sending back the file to Naik in the forenoon, contending that all relevant papers sought by him were in the file. By evening, the file was back with the CM's office, with Naik insisting on the chief justice's permission.

The Raj Bhawan said in a statement that the chief justice had suggested that a panel of candidates should be formed and then a three-member search committee comprising the CM, the leader of opposition and the chief justice should meet to choose the new Lokayukta.

“But neither the panel was formed nor the three-member committee met even once. Therefore, the governor has returned the file and advised the state government to complete the process of appointment at the earliest," Naik told TOI.

BSP backs SP, baffles political satraps

In a move that flummoxed political observers, BSP on Friday endorsed its arch rival SP's move to appoint Justice Ravindra Singh Yadav as the new lokayukta. “What's wrong with the appointment of Justice Yadav? A retired HC judge needs to be appointed. So, we have given our approval to his appointment," assembly's LoP Swami Prasad Maurya said. Maurya said that if the party was open to discuss the matter if there is any disagreement between the CJ and the government.