Click to play videoAhmedabad: In a setback for Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, the Gujarat High Court has upheld the Governor's appointment of Justice R A Mehta as the Lokayukta.
The Gujarat government had challenged the appointment on the grounds that it was unconstitutional and had made it an issue of political pride. Now it will move the Supreme Court.
"It is a historical order. We needed a strong and honest Lokayukta and we have got one. We want that all the corruption cases against Modi government that have been handed over to the M B Shah Commission must be transferred to the Lokayukta," said Mukul Sinha, advocate, Jansangharsh Manch.
This was a high stakes battle for Modi as he had ensured that the first few days of winter session of Parliament were stalled due to his unhappiness with the Governor's move of appointing Justice Mehta as the Lokayukta.
A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delegation had called on the President as well seeking recall of Governor Kamla Beniwal.
"This order is neither a victory nor a loss. It is just a judgment," said Jainarayan Vyas.
The judgement, however, does raise constitutional issues. Can a Governor act independently without the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers? Will this now lead to greater interference from Raj Bhawans across country?
The order comes at a time when Narendra Modi is getting restive about the outcome of riot cases. With the Lokayukta appointment now being upheld, the opposition will press for speedy investigation of corruption charges against the Modi government. These are signs that in an election year, Modi might be forced to rethink his strategy.
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