Dikshit misleading assembly: BJP

BJP today accused Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit of trying to "mislead" Delhi assembly by targeting the party on the issue of Lokayukta's observation in a complaint of alleged corruption against Speaker Yoganand Shastri.
Vociferously raising the issue in the assembly, BJP members demanded an "apology" from Dikshit for making "wrong statement" in the House on the issue, and later staged a walk out.
Lokayukta Justice Manmohan Sarin, in an order on Monday, had dismissed the complaint against the Speaker for "want of jurisdiction" but brought it to the notice of the Lt Governor for "action as deemed fit", while terming the allegations as of "serious nature".

Dikshit had yesterday attacked the BJP for seeking the resignation of Shastri in the wake of "serious remarks" made against him by the Lokayukta in a case of alleged corruption.
In a statement in the Assembly, Dikshit had said the BJP members have shown "great disrespect" to the Speaker by demanding his resignation on the basis of an "unverified report".
"The Chief Minister tried to mislead the House by making wrong statement. She must apologise for it. The complaint to the Lokayukta was sent by the Delhi Government only," Malhotra said.

Referring to Dikshit's statement in the House that the Lokayukta did not have jurisdiction to pursue the case, Malhotra wondered why the city government had forwarded the case to the anti-graft body knowing that it did not have power to take it up.

Malhotra, in a letter to Lt Governor Tejendra Khanna on Tuesday, had sought resignation of the Speaker citing the Lokayukta's observation against him.
BJP has already given a notice for brining a no confidence motion against the Speaker.
The complaint against Shastri has been filed by former Secretary of Delhi Legislative Assembly Siddharth Rao in which he made allegations of corruption and misuse of public funds and amenities to the tune of several crores of rupees.
Shastri vehemently rejected all the allegations and claimed that Rao was trying to "blackmail" him.
The Lokayukta in his order said the original complaint was addressed to the Prime Minister's Office which was referred to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).

The DoPT had referred the complaint to the Secretary to the Lt-Governor for necessary action and thereafter it reached the Office of the Chief Secretary of the Delhi Government and then it was forwarded by Additional Secretary (Vigilance) to the Lokayukta for necessary action.