Maharashtra’s ‘maha Lokayukta bomb’

(MS Shanker)
Maharashtra government’s decision to bring in the Chief Minister as well as all ministers under the gambit of Lokayukta, not only opens up the proverbial Pandora’s Box, but is also set to unleash a political slugfest.
Many political analysts feel that it was a very shrewd move by the BJP-Shiv Sena government ahead of the general elections in 2024. But, once the Maharashtra government passes the legislation to bring in the Chief Minister and the entire Cabinet under the Lokayukta, it is bound to create a sore point for non-BJP governments.
For the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was part of the Anna Hazare movement to bring Lok Pal and Lokayukta, the Maharashtra decision is likely to pose more embarrassment.
As things stand, Kejriwal and his cabinet colleagues, not to speak of those in power in the Punjab State government is embroiled in grave corruption charges. Satyendra Jain is a case in point—even while he is convalescing in prison, bail has been denied to him on several occasions. Investigating central agencies are closing in on another senior cabinet minister Manish Sisodia in the multi-crore liquor policy scam? There are other allegations of corruption against Sisodia, including his involvement in the purchase of low floor, buses for DTC and other scams related to school education in Delhi.