Unless one knows the truth about them, calling Modi and Akhilesh twin patrons of corruption may sound incredible and malicious , but not if their identical role in having a Lok Ayukta loyal to them is known .Gujarat went without a Lok Ayukta since 2003 , but when steps were taken to appoint Justice R.A Mehta( noted for his integrity ), whose name was recommended by the Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court, Chief Minister Modi fought tooth and nail to prevent his appointment .

Since Gujarat had remained without a Lok Ayukta for eight years, the Governor Dr Kamla Beniwal appointed Justice Mehta without the C.M.'s recommendation. Modi's government challenged his appointment , but the Supreme Court upheld it .However, Justice Mehta refused to join in view of the bitter opposition to his name by Modi .In order to ensure that the Lok Ayukt of Gujarat is his nominee Modi enacted a law which made the Chief Minister the Chairperson of the Selection Committee , removed the Chief Justice from it and added the Speaker of the Assembly and a Minister as a member .Thus , the man who roars at the top of his voice that "Na Khaunga aur Na Khane Doonga (I would neither take a bribe nor allow the others to do so )remained trembling at the thought of having a Lok Ayukta in his State , and when having one became inevitable changed the law to become the real appointing authority to ensure a person of his choice as the Lok Ayukta.
Akhilesh Yadav also wanted Justice Ravindra Singh (a retired High Court .Judge) as the new Lok .Ayukta of U.P. but the recommendation was turned down by Governor Ram Naik several times because his name was recommended without holding the meeting of the Selection Committee of which the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court was a member. The Chief Justice had also raised questions regarding Justice Singh’s suitability on account of his own and his family's close proximity with the ruling party .Taking a cue from his twin

Narendra Modi Akhilesh Yadav introduced a new Lok Ayukt bill on 27 August, 2015 and had it rushed through both the houses of the State Legislature. Following Modi's foot -step, the UP. Selection Committee will also have the C.M.as its Chairperson, the Speaker of the Assembly as a member and a retired judge to be appointed by the C.M.as a member . In Gujarat, a judge nominated by the Chief Justice would be a member; but to ensure a majority a Minister has also been made a member of the Selection Committees, and to give an appearance of impartiality, both in UP and Gujarat the Leader of the Opposition have been included in the Selection Committee.
Why are the twins so scared of an independent and impartial Lok Ayukt if they are honest? Why is Modi opposing in the Supreme Court the judgment of the Central Information Commission that the political parties are covered under The Right to Information Act, 2005 and must give information sought under it if he is heading a party which is not corrupt and has nothing to hide? Of course, both Medici and Akhilesh Yadav are as honest and clean as is every public servant and politician who is not found guilty of corruption by a court of law. They deserve the same respect as their clan -no more and no less.
Prabhakar Sinha

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Hastakshep