Aam Aadmi Party criticises new CAG's appointment

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Tuesday criticized the appointment of former defence secretary Shashi Kant Sharma as the new Comptroller and Auditor General, accusing the United Progressive Alliance government of accusing of weakening constitutional institutions.

"Government is slowly but continuously appointing persons who are weak and who don't have spine to watchdog bodies like CAG, CVC (Central Vigilance Commission), CIC (Central Information Commission), Election Commission which keep an eye on the government," party leader and lawyer Prashant Bhushan said at a press conference here.

He contended that Sharma's appointment as CAG rakes up a debate of conflict of interest since he would be entrusted the task of auditing defence deals between 2003-10 - the time during which he was in the defence ministry.

"Interestingly, the whole process of selection of Vinod Rai's successor took place in complete secrecy. Yet, none of the political parties raised this issue. Why?" he asked.

Sharma will succeed Rai, who retires May 22, the government announced Tuesday.