Today, a top committee is holding a Lokpal meeting to discuss anti corruption. The committee includes Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra. But the main opposition Congress has decided to skip the meet. The party did so after objecting to the Special Invitee Status for the meeting.
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge wrote a sharp letter to PM Modi rejecting the invitation. He said, “My mere presence as special invitee without rights of participation, recording of my opinion and voting would be a mere eyewash ostensibly aimed at showcasing the participation of the opposition in the selection process.” He explained the Special Invitee Invitation is a way to exclude Congress from the selection process.
The selection panel has PM Modi, CJI Misra and Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan. The rules for the panel also expect a leader for the opposition. However one was not assigned for the panel stating it lacked the numbers to make the cut. When BJP came to power in 2014 Congress’ seats reduced to just 44. The rules state a leader will be appointed only to parties with 10% (54 seats out of 545) seats in the Lok Sabha. However Congress failed to hit the bench mark.
Earlier the Supreme Court stated the anti corruption body needs to be set up immediately. Forming a Lokpal has been delayed by five years and not having a Leader for the Opposition should not hold the process back. The Government then explained the Lokpal could not be appointed without a Leader of the Opposition. They also said the Parliament was yet to approve the law to allow a Leader from Congress on the selection panel.
Due to continuous criticism the Government passed a concession and invited a Congress Leader on a Special Invitee Status. The Congress then declined this invitation claiming this invitation was a formality and shutting off the opposition from participating.
