Sushma Swaraj opposes Singh’s insistence on ‘Cong loyalist’ PP Rao as fifth member of the panel
The choice of lokpal selection panel members has pitted the UPA Government against the main Opposition BJP, with leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj strongly objecting to the choice of senior lawyer PP Rao as the fifth member of the panel.
Sushma called Rao a “Congress loyalist” and suggested the name of former Attorney-General K Parasaran, who also figured as one of the names listed by the Government. She demanded that the panel should be “free from such people like Rao” and said it should have “apolitical people” and should not be made a “captive body”.
The five-member Selection Committee will appoint the chairman and members of the anti-corruption body lokpal which is finally taking shape after over 40 years of debates, discussions and controversies over its role and reach to rein in corruption in the country.
In a repeat of BJP’s opposition to the appointment of controversial PJ Thomas as Chief Vigilance Commissioner two years ago, Sushma charged the Government with not having “an open mind” on the issue and registered her dissent during the discussions on Monday at the Prime Minister’s 7, Race Course residence.
Thomas was removed after the Supreme Court ruled against his appointment as CVC. According to Sushma, during the discussions, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh kept insisting on the name of Rao, to which she did not agree and offered to suggest the name of eminent lawyer KK Parasaran.
The Centre had last February appointed Parasaran’s son Mohan Parasaran as the new Solicitor-General, the second senior-most law officer in the country after the Attorney-General.
The Prime Minister, however, insisted on accepting Rao as the fifth member, she said.
The three other members of the Selection Committee — Prime Minister, lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and Supreme Court judge Hl Dattu, who has been nominated by Chief Justice of India P Sathasivam — also approved the name of Rao. The Government list, among others, included Mohan Gopal, Chandrasekhar Pillai, KK Parasaran and PP Rao.
According to sources, the BJP was inclined on the names of senior lawyers Harish Salve, Fali Nariman and Soli Sorabjee among others.
Sushma said the Prime Minister said he respected Parasaran, but kept insisting on Rao’s name. Meira Kumar also went with the same name, she said.
The senior BJP leader maintained that the Government seemed to have decided on the name before the meeting itself. She is understood to have suggested that either the list be enlarged or the meet be deferred, but the Government did not oblige her.
The Centre has sought nomination of eligible candidates for appointing the chairperson and eight members of the lokpal. The last date of sending nomination is February 7.
Of the eight posts for members in the lokpal, four are for judicial side, while the remaining will be for non-judicial work. The chairperson and members shall be appointed by the President after obtaining the recommendations of the selection panel.
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The choice of the lokpal selection panel members has pitted the UPA Government against the main Opposition BJP, with leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj objecting to the choice of senior lawyer PP Rao as the fifth member of the panel
Sushma called Rao a ‘Congress loyalist’ and suggested the name of former Attorney-General
K Parasaran, who also figured as one of the names listed by the Government
Sushma said the panel should be ‘free from such people like Rao’ and said it should have ‘apolitical people’
However, during discussions at the PM’s 7, Race Course residence, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh kept insisting on the name of Rao, to which she did not agree
.