Lokpal appointed by Modi govt under SC pressure: Mayawati

Hours after former Supreme Court judge Pinaki Chandra Ghose took oath as the first Lokpal chairperson, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati launched an attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he was forced to take this step under the pressure of the Supreme Court.

"Thanks to hon. Supreme Court those who did not allow to have a Lokayukta in his home state of Gujarat had to ultimately appoint Lokpal in the country after 5 years of dilly-dallying. Justice Pinaki Ghose today took oath as first Lokpal of India. Greetings to him and to people," she Tweeted.

Earlier in the day, President Ram Nath Kovind administered the oath of office to Justice (retd) Ghose as Lokpal chairperson in New Delhi. Justice Ghose was on March 19 appointed as the country's first Lokpal, the anti-corruption ombudsman.

The former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister also took a swipe at the Prime Minister for sending best wishes to his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan on the eve of the neighbouring country's national day.

"On the one hand strong anti-Pakistan stand and striking statements for the sake of vote bank politics but on the other hand secret greeting letter to Pakistan PM. Is this kind of politics of deceive and deception with 130 crore people of the country by BJP proper? People must remain alert," she tweeted.