Jaitley demands immediate stop to attempts to appoint Lokpal

Demanding an immediate stop to attempts to appoint a Lokpal, BJP today said it would be a "gross political impropriety" and "violation" of the model code if the UPA government rushes through the appointment of the anti-corruption watchdog.
BJP leader Arun Jaitley said the procedure is legally "suspect" and such "unholy haste" will destroy the credibility of the Lokpal even before it is formed.
According to sources, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is planning to convene a meeting of the Lokpal Selection Committee on April 27 or 28.
"Half the elections have been completed. 26 days remain for the declaration of the results and the formation of a new government. Is it proper for the UPA, on the eve of its certain departure, to rush through with the appointment of the Lokpal? Certainly not.

"It would be a gross political impropriety and violation of the code of conduct, if the UPA would rush through its appointment at this stage. Such unholy haste will destroy the credibility of the Lokpal even before it is formed. This procedure should be stopped immediately," Jaitley said.
In a statement on his blog, he asked Singh to introspect over this haste on the eve of "certain departure", saying the PM has nothing to lose except some "residual creditability".
"He must seriously introspect if this unholy haste in pushing a Lokpal on the eve of certain departure is implemented, he will only be remembered as Prime Minister who subverted institutions at the behest of his party leadership. The entire democratic system of India is strong enough not to permit him to succeed," he said.