Cong cry on Lokayukta

New Delhi, Sept. 6: Several central Congress leaders and the Gujarat party unit have strongly opposed any move to compromise with the BJP on the Lokayukta in spite of Parliament being held up.

The last two days of the monsoon session may also witness turmoil as the BJP is firm that Parliament will not be allowed to function if Gujarat governor Kamla Beniwal is not recalled.

Congress sources rued that the BJP had been emboldened to persist with its demand because of confusing signals from the government.

Some central government officials, who doubted the sagacity of the governor’s decision, tried to engage the BJP in a dialogue to find a compromise formula.

But the Gujarat unit landed in Delhi to correct the impression about the governor’s role as the state’s Lokayukta Act did not allow the chief minister any say in the Lokayukta’s appointment.

Ruling out the governor’s recall, sources said some Gujarat leaders suggested H.R. Bhardwaj as a replacement for Beniwal if the BJP did not abandon its campaign. The party has now decided not to do anything till the high court gives its opinion.

Although BJP leader L.K. Advani met Pranab Mukherjee after the Lok Sabha adjourned today, sources said no solution looked likely.

Sources said Pranab, who thought the governor might have acted in haste, had earlier discussed the issue with BJP leaders and shown willingness to find a way out.

BJP leaders claimed the Prime Minister had also assured them the government would revisit the decision.

But the Gujarat unit decided to confront the BJP propaganda. A team of Congress leaders from the state, led by PCC president Arjun Modwadia and CLP leader Shaktisinh Gohil, called on President Pratibha Patil today. They accused the BJP of “misleading” Parliament over the Lokayukta’s appointment and claimed a “smear campaign” to discredit the governor had been launched at the behest of chief minister Narendra Modi.

Gohil told reporters after meeting the President: “Modi has become desperate. Since the maximum funding of the BJP comes from Gujarat, the BJP high command is on its toes to save the chief minister.”

The memorandum said: “In the past, Justice D.H. Shukla (1988-93), Justice I.C. Bhatt (1993-98) and Justice S.M. Soni (1998-2003) were appointed by the governor with his own signature and warrant and no cabinet resolution was given to the governor by way of suggestion or assistance.”