The BJP, which had opposed appointment of PJ Thomas as the central vigilance commissioner, today claimed its stand had been vindicated following Supreme Court's observation on his continuance despite a corruption case pending against him.
"Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj has raised all these issues and objected to the appointment of Thomas as CVC. Now the Supreme Court's critical observation has vindicated Sushma's objection," BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters outside Parliament.
Former party chief Venkaiah Naidu said the government and the UPA owed an explanation to the people.
The name of Thomas figures in a charge sheet filed in a palmoleine export case.
"Without looking into the file, we are concerned that if a person is an accused in a criminal case how will he function as CVC," a bench headed by Chief Justice SH Kapadia observed today after attorney general GE Vahanvati placed records of documents pertaining to Thomas appointment in a sealed cover.
The court observed that Thomas would himself feel embarrassed due to a pending case against him as in every case the CBI has to report to him.
Naidu said, "It is a very simple question and the government need to explain. Government has appointed a person who is an accused even today.
"How can he be made CVC... this was raised by the opposition. Government did not bother about it. Unfortunately government for its political compulsions or as per its own way of functioning they have decided and now the strictures (by the Supreme Court). It is for the government and the UPA to explain to the people," the BJP leader said.
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