Digvijay Singh accuses Modi of trying to suppress corruption

Lucknow, Jan 18 (ANI): Expressing his delight over Gujarat High Court's decision to uphold the appointment of Justice (retired) RA Mehta as the Lokayukta, Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh on Wednesday accused Chief Minister Narendra Modi of trying to suppress the rampant corruption in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)- ruled state.

Digvijay Singh also criticized Anna Hazare, and said that the rampant corruption in the Gujarat was not visible to the veteran social activist.

"We are delighted that Lokayukta in Gujarat has been appointed after 11 years. But we are surprised over the fact that the rampant corruption in Gujarat is not visible to Anna. Anna did not sit on a fast for Lokayukta in Gujarat. Anna spoke in praise of Narendra Modi," said Singh.

"So, all these things are now coming forward that that Bharatiya Janata Party and Narendra Modi, who has become a hero of the BJP, want to suppress the rampant corruption and so did not allow the constitution of Lokayukta to take place," he added.

Digvijay Singh further said today's verdict is the beginning of a stroke for Modi, and added that the latter will now have to face a number of shocks.

To a poser on the continuous blame being imposed on the Congress Party and now a decision has been taken by the Gujarat High Court, he said: "The thing is that whatever development has taken place in this country, only the Congress can bring in development in this country. 'Anti-Congressism' pushes the country backwards, not forward."

In a setback to the Narendra Modi Government, the Gujarat High Court earlier in the day upheld the appointment of Lokayukta by the Governor while dismissing the plea of the state challenging it.

Modi had accused the Governor of acting in a partisan manner and trying to destabilise the state government.

The Gujarat Government had earlier challenged Governor Kamla Beniwal's decision to appoint Mehta as state's Lokayukta, deeming the move unconstitutional and unilateral.

Justice (retired) RA Mehta was appointed as Lokayukta in August last year by Governor Beniwal. The post was lying vacant since November 2003.

According to the Indian Constitution, the Governor is the constitutional head of the state, appointed by the President on the aid and advice of the central government. (ANI)