Government on Friday (May 2) re-ignited the 'snoopgate' issue allegedly involving Narendra Modi by asserting that a judicial Commission to probe it will be in place by May 16, evoking an angry reaction by BJP which warned of reviewing the "illegitimate" decision if it comes to power. The party also warned of similar action if the government goes ahead with the "last-minute" moves to set up the Lokpal search committee and appoint Central Information Commissioners. Reviving the 'snoopgate', involving spying on a young woman allegedly at the behest of Modi, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and Law Minister Kapil Sibal said that an inquiry commission will be in place by the end of the LokSabha election process on May 16. The government had decided on December 26 last year to set up the inquiry Commission but the process has got delayed reportedly because of its inability to zero in on a judge. "The Cabinet had taken the decision to appoint a Commission of Inquiry to probe the incident of snooping on a woman in Gujarat. We will soon appoint the judge....before May 16," Shinde told a press conference in Shimla.
Asked if the appointment of a judge in the midst of Lok Sabha elections would not amount to violation of the Model Code of Conduct, Shinde said, "It will not. The decision had been taken by the Union Cabinet much before the model code of conduct came into force." "I am worried. The way the Chief Minister of Gujarat had snooped into the life of a woman, I am really worried what will happen to the women of the country if he becomes the Prime Minister," Shinde said. In New Delhi, Law Minister Kapil Sibal also said that a judge will be appointed by May 16. Reacting sharply, BJP leader Arun Jaitley said the government was showing "desperation" and that it will be within the purview of the new government to hold this decision as "illegitimate". The party also charged the government of "stooping low" by attempting to appoint a judge merely 15 days ahead of the next government formation.
In a debate moderated by TIMES NOW's Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami, panelists -- Ragini Nayak, Spokesperson, Congress; Lalitha Kumaramangalam, Member, National Executive & Spokesperson, BJP; Yatin Oza, Senior Advocate, Gujarat HC and Leader, BJP; Kavita Krishnan, National Secretary, All India Progressive Women's Association & Politburo Member, CPIML; Harish Salve, former Solicitor General and Gaurav Bhatia, National Head, Legal Cell, SP -- discuss whether, has the Government tied itself in knots over the "Snoopgate' Commission?
