Shiv Sena: How will Lokayukta investigate its own boss?

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena Friday asked how a Lokayukta, appointed by the chief minister, would investigate his or her boss.

The party’s remarks, which were made in an editorial inits mouthpiece Saamana, came in the backdrop of the Cabinet's decision to bring the chief minister’s office under the jurisdiction of the anti-corruption ombudsman. The decision was welcomed by activist Anna Hazare, who began a hunger strike Wednesday to press for appointment of a Lokpal at the Centre and passage of the Lok-ayukta Act in the states.

The party also claimed that the source of corruption lay in the election process. Making allegations against the Election Commission of India (ECI), the Sena said that the ECI always worked as a “puppet” in the hands of ruling parties.

The Sena, an ally of the ruling BJP-led government in the state as well as Centre, claimed that an ombudsman who could end corruption was yet to be born. “Now the chief minister is also under the scope of (probe by Lokayukta). But the question is how will the Lokayukta, appointed by the chief minister, probe his or her boss?” the party asked.

Without taking anyone’s name, the Sena alleged that horse trading took place during polls and the person who occupied the chief minister’s post had to collect money for contesting elections. The editorial further said, “That money is not earned through sweat, but from under the table.”

The Sena also alleged that the Lokayukta and the Anti-Corruption Bur-eau did not act even when Opposition parties gave evidence of corruption through public speeches.

Without taking the BJP’s or any other political party’s name, it claimed that a party's budget for the civic polls was around Rs 400 crore, and that the money did not come through honest means. “Farmers do not get fair support prices for their produce, but who are these saintly people who give thousands of crores of rupees to the rulers. And why do they give money to the rulers only?” the mouthpiece asked.