Can LokPal work independently?
One of the primary examples of how an agency can curb corruption if it is given an opportunity to work honestly and diligently is Karnataka Lokayukta. Our state Lokayukta commands special respect among such agencies existing all over India. It brought a CM to his knees and forced him to resign over illegal mining case. Many people’s representatives were sent to jail and lost their political clout finally. The whole country looked at Karnataka Lokayukta with awe.
When Lokayukta began its deep probe on politicians, all of them came together to finish it off. They have now clipped its wings and just allowed its existence to work without any hindrance. At a time when govt interferes with investigating agencies costing them their reputation and trust among people, the very first Lokayukta has been appointed in India. This was done after massive movement by people. Since LokPal can investigate the central ministers and leaders, the significance is naturally high. Even BJP had insisted on LokPal appointment when UPA was at the centre. But after clinching power, BJP fell silent over the matter.
Modi government didn’t pay heed to any pleas by Anna Hazare and many others insisting on the setting up of LokPal. But Modi government didn’t pay heed to that till the term was close to being over, and appointed a LokPal now when the govt is facing another term of elections. This shows the level of seriousness of the government regarding LokPal, because this has been done only with the lone purpose of pulling wool over people’s eyes. Corruption may not end with the appointment of LokPal. Considering the example of Karnataka, even this govt has not given total power to Lokayukta. Turning it into a toothless tiger is not a big deal of the politicians make up their minds on that.
For many years, we didn’t have justices to fill the positions of Lokayukta. With Santosh Hegde at the helm of affairs of this agency some time ago, today one wonders whether a Lokayukta even exists in the state. Country has seen how the CBI is suffering. The chief of this investigating agency was kicked out unconstitutionally because he wanted to investigate Rafale deal. Govt did not even pay heed to the SC’s directive regarding this issue. Finally, such a situation was created that the CBI chief had to resign and go out. Having used premier institutes to fulfil its political gains, the Modi government has ruined the credibility of such institutions.
Governments earlier would try to clandestinely try to control CBI and other such agencies, but Modi government has made no such cover-up efforts. Today CBI is full time puppet of the government. Hence the appointment of Lokpal is not a matter to rejoice too much. Because how does one expect LokPal to work independently when we have seen the fate of CBI? This would just be another agency established to add more jewels to their crowns.
LokPal can investigate people’s representatives too. It works as a watchdog of Democracy. If it takes up a case like Rafale, it’s not difficult to imagine how Modi would respond to it. LokPal alone cannot check corruption unless it gets full power. Else it would work like a bonded labour of central government. If this agency gets full power, the first bomb will fall on our political leaders. Why would they even make a mistake that can finish them?
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LoP Ashoka targets CM govt over corruption, says being 'shameless' in public life not forgivable
Bengaluru (PTI): Targeting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the Congress government in Karnataka on corruption, BJP leader R Ashoka on Friday said, being foolish was forgivable, but being "shameless" in public life was not.
The Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly claimed that in just 30 months of its tenure, the Congress administration has broken every previous record on corruption-related controversies.
He was responding to Siddaramaiah's post on 'X' on Thursday hitting back at the BJP, stating that Upa Lokayukta Justice Veerappa's claims of "63 per cent corruption" were based on his report in November 2019, when BJP's B S Yediyurappa was the CM.
"But Ashoka, without understanding the Upa Lokayukta's statement properly, has ended up tying the BJP's own bells of sins onto our heads and has effectively shot himself in the foot," the CM had said, as he accused Ashoka of foolishness for trying to twist Veerappa's statement to target the current government.
Responding, Ashoka said, "it is one thing to be called foolish in politics, that can be forgiven."
"But in public life, especially in the Chief Minister's chair, one must never become shameless," Ashoka posted on 'X' on Friday addressing Siddaramaiah.
Noting that the CM himself had admitted on the floor of the Assembly that a Rs 87 crore scam took place in the Valmiki Development Corporation, he said that when a CM acknowledges such a massive irregularity inside the floor of the House, the natural expectation is immediate action and accountability.
"But instead of taking responsibility, you continue in office as if nothing has happened. What should the people of Karnataka call this, if not sheer shamelessness," he asked.
Pointing out that the CM's Economic Advisor and senior Congress MLA Basavaraja Rayareddy had publicly stated that under Congress rule, Karnataka has become No.1 in corruption, Ashoka said, "Yet, you still cling to the Chief Minister's chair without a moment of introspection. What should the people of Karnataka call this, if not sheer shamelessness."
Senior Congress MLA C R Patil had exposed the "money for House" racket in the Housing Department and even warned that the government would collapse if the details he has were made public, Ashoka said.
"Despite such serious allegations from within your own party (Congress), you neither initiated an inquiry nor acted against the concerned minister. What should the people of Karnataka call this, if not sheer shamelessness," Ashoka asked the CM.
Highlighting the "40 percent commission" allegation Congress made against the previous BJP government, the opposition leader said, the commission that the Siddaramaiah government appointed concluded that the accusation was baseless.
"After your own panel demolished your own claim, what moral right do you have to continue repeating that allegation. What should the people of Karnataka call this, if not sheer shamelessness," he asked.
For the last two and a half years, Karnataka has been 'drowning' in corruption, scandals, irregularities and allegations across departments. Ashoka said, "If I begin listing every case that emerged under your government, even 24 hours would not be enough."
"And the most tragic aspect of your administration is this: the unbearable pressure, corruption demands and administrative harassment under your government pushed several officers and contractors into extreme distress - including the suicide of Chandrasekharan which exposed the Valmiki Development Corporation scam - a sign of how deeply broken the system has become under your watch," he said.
Instead of fixing this hopeless environment, the government has tried to bury every complaint and silence every voice, he charged.
"Being foolish is forgivable, but being shameless in public life is definitely not."
"When your own ministers admit scams, when your own advisors certify Karnataka as No.1 in corruption, and when your own MLAs expose rackets inside your departments - clinging to power without accountability is not leadership. It is shamelessness in its purest form." PTI KSU
Earlier on Thursday Ashoka had demanded that the corruption case and allegations in the state against the Congress government be handed over to a CBI investigation, citing a reported statement by Upalokaykta Justice Veerappa alleging "63 per cent corruption", following which Siddaramaiah hit back at the BJP leader.
