Constitutional procedure was not followed in selecting of UP Lokayukta: BJP

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday backed Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik's decision to reject the file concerning the appointment of Justice Ravindra Singh as the state's Lokayukta, saying that due procedure was not followed while selecting the candidate.

"First it was rejected by the Governor and then the Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court also rejected it because the constitutional procedure was not followed. The Chief Minister has to sit along with Leader of the Opposing and High Court Chief Justice and decide, the process was not followed. Everyone knows that Justice Ravindra Singh is close to Samajwadi Party," BJP national secretary Siddharth Nath Singh told ANI.

Meanwhile, Akhilesh Yadav-led Uttar Pradesh Government has locked horns with Governor Ram Naik over the appointment of Justice (Retd. ) Ravindra Singh as the Lokayukta.

According to reports, the Uttar Pradesh TGovernment had on August 6 sent a file to the Governor regarding the appointment of Justice (Retd. ) Ravindra Singh as the state's new Lokayukta. The Governor had returned the file, saying that due procedure was not followed while appointing the Lokayukta.