New Delhi: Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Monday came under attack from BJP which charged her with "weakening" the Lokayukta by rejecting its recommendations and acting contrary to the Centre's stand to strengthen the institution.
"This government is deeply involved in corruption. The Union Government as well as Parliament have supported Anna Hazare's key demands including establishment of Lokayuktas in states. But here Sheila Dikshit is weakening the institution," BJP leader VK Malhotra alleged.
The BJP leader mounted the attack on Dikshit after Delhi Assembly was adjourned amid acrimonious scenes following persistent demand of the opposition for a discussion on the CAG report that had slammed the Chief Minister and her government for irregularities in certain CWG projects.
Rejecting the allegations, an angry Dikshit said the Lokayukta's recommendation to sack PWD Minister Raj Kumar Chauhan was turned down by President Pratibha Patil on the basis of observation of the Union Home Ministry.
"We have not rejected the recommendation of the Lokayukta. The President in her wisdom had taken a decision on the basis of observation by the Home Ministry," Dikshit retorted.
In June, President Pratibha Patil had rejected the city Lokayukta's recommendation to sack Chauhan for his alleged involvement in protecting a leading resort in a tax evasion case.
The Home Ministry had finalised its recommendation to the President based on observations of the Delhi government which had rejected the Lokayukta recommendation.
"There was no corruption involved in the case. Moreover the decision was not taken by the Delhi Government," she said.
In an embarrassment to Dikshit, the city Lokayukta last month had slammed her for "misrepresenting" facts by announcing in the run up to 2008 assembly polls that 60,000 low-cost flats were ready and recommended to the President to censure her. The order by the Lokayukta was criticised by the city government.
Referring to Parliament endorsing in principle three key demands of Anna Hazare including establishment of Lokayuktas in states to deal with corruption, Malhotra said Dikshit's rejection of city Lokayukta's recommendations "does not gel" with position taken by Union Government as well as the Parliament.
He also referred to support by Dikshit's son and East Delhi MP Sandeep Dikshit for a "strong and effective" Lokpal and questioned whether the Chief Minister's attempt to "weaken" the Lokayukta was not in contradiction to the country's resolve to combat graft.
Interestingly, Dikshit last week had suggested bringing the chief ministers under the ambit of the proposed Lokpal.
"It would be appropriate to broaden the jurisdiction of Lokpal by bringing chief ministers under the ambit of the proposed Lokpal," Dikshit had said.
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