Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge writes letter to PM Modi on refusing to attend Lokpal meet

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday rejected an invitation by the government to attend a Lokpal selection meet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today.

The selection panel includes the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice of India, the Lok Sabha Speaker and an eminent jurist.

The meet called to finalise the selection of an anti-corruption Lokpal had sent out a ’special invitee’ to the Congress.

Reasons behind the Opposition party boycotting the meet -

Mallikarjun Kharge has written a letter to PM Modi, refusing the invitation where he said,

"A more apt and statesman-like conduct is expected from the prime minister of the country. 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.”

Speaking to ANI, he said, "I am the voice of all Opposition not just Congress. This bill continues to languish for want of appropriate intent, commitment and objectivity on part of the government. My presence without right of participation would be a mere eyewash.”

Alleging that the government has brought out amendments in other Acts to replace the ‘leader of Opposition’ to ‘leader of the single largest party’ in opposition, the Congress leader mentioned that it has not done so in the Lokpal Act which negates the spirit of Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013.

Mallikarjun Kharge further said that the government is adopting this path only as mere paper formality instead of seeking constructive participation.

Calling it a concerted effort to exclude the voice of the Opposition, the Congress leader urged the government to bring an ordinance in the shape of an amending bill, if it is serious about the appointment of the anti-corruption watchdog.

In conclusion of the letter to the Prime Minister, Kharge said, "In these circumstances, I must respectfully decline the invite as 'special invitee' to uphold the inviolability of The Lokpal Act, 2013, as the current proceedings have reduced a sacred procedure to a political pretence.”