Bharatiya Janata Party president Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday slammed the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government at the Centre for defending the appointment of P J Thomas as the Central Vigilance Commissioner.
"The CVC is a sensitive post. It plays an appointment role in the appointment of Central Bureau of Investigation director and others. Many sensitive matters go to it. Should there not be an impartial, fair and judicious person holding that post?" asked Gadkari.
Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj, who was the third member of the panel, had opposed the appointment of Thomas as CVC on account of his ''tainted'' image.
"Despite the objection of Leader of Opposition, despite the written dissident note, it is very unfortunate that the government has filed such an affidavit in the Supreme Court. It means that Congress party does not believe in a democratic system," he added.
The Central government has strongly defended the appointment of P J Thomas as the CVC, saying he was an ''outstanding officer'' with ''impeccable integrity''.
In an affidavit in the Supreme Court cleared by Attorney General G E Vahanvati on Monday, the government said there was no need for ''consensus'' of the three-member high-powered committee on CVC's appointment.
The affidavit said no statutory norms were violated in the appointment of Thomas and the apex court should not decide his suitability for the post.
