Addressing a seminar on 'Empowering citizens to combat corruption' in New Delhi on International Anti-Corruption Day today, Thomas said there was a need for creating awareness about corruption and inculcating ethics on good governance.
BJP today dismissed as a joke", central vigilance commissioner (CVC) PJ Thomas's "sermon" on combating corruption, saying he himself was facing graft allegations.
"On anti-corruption day, if he sermonises the nation (on combating corruption), there can be no bigger joke than this," BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain told reporters here.
Hussain said the Supreme Court has already issued a notice to Thomas on corruption issue and ever since he was chosen for the top post, the leader of opposition had opposed the appointment.
Addressing a seminar on 'Empowering citizens to combat corruption' in New Delhi on International Anti-Corruption Day today, Thomas said there was a need for creating awareness about corruption and inculcating ethics on good governance.
Hussain was asked if it was appropriate on part of Thomas to deliver such a lecture when he himself was facing corruption charges.
60-year-old Thomas was selected as CVC by a three-member panel comprising Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, leader of opposition Sushma Swaraj and home minister P Chidambaram.
Swaraj had registered a dissent note on Thomas's selection citing pending criminal charges.
The CVC's name figures in the chargesheet relating to import of palmolein when he was serving in Kerala government.
The Supreme Court had also raised questions on Thomas' ability to supervise the CBI investigations in the 2G spectrum allocation case. Thomas has earlier served in the telecom ministry as secretary.
The Supreme Court will hear on January 27 a PIL seeking his removal from the key post.
On charges of financial mismanagement against Prasar Bharati CEO BS Lalli, Hussain said, "on all the important appointments made by the government including that of Prasar Bharati CEO, doubts have been raised and it has to think what it has to do. It should go ahead with the the president's recommendation."
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