The tussle between the Akhilesh Yadav led SP government, and Uttar Pradesh Governor, Ram Naik has led to the delay in the appointment of Lokayukta in the state.
With the stalemate over the appointment of the Lokayukta continuing between the ruling Samajwadi Party and the Uttar Pradesh governor, Ram Naik, the government backed nominee, Justice (retired) Ravindra Singh Yadav, today decided to opt out of the race.
The tussle between the Akhilesh Yadav led SP government and Mr Naik led to the retired judge's nomination moving back and forth nearly half a dozen times between the chief minister's office and the Raj Bhavan
Earlier, the Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court, D Y Chandrachud, who is in a three-member committee to select Lokayukta, had also expressed reservation on the name of Mr Yadav, citing his proximity to the ruling party.
In a letter to the chief minister, Justice Yadav said, "I am thankful that my name has been considered for the appointment of Lokayukta, but considering the controversy involved, I feel it proper to withdraw my name from the fresh exercise of selection of 'name' for appointment... therefore my name may not be considered for the post of Lokayukta."
The development comes a day after the three-member selection committee failed to deliberate on a fresh name last night in the absence of one of the members. The committee comprises the chief minister, Leader of the Opposition in the assembly, Swami Prasad Maurya, and Chief Justice Chandrachud.
The UP assembly had last month passed the Uttar Pradesh Lokayukta and Up-Lokayukta (Amendment) Bill, 2015, to amend Lokayukta Act dropping the Allahabad High Court Chief Justice from the selection committee.
The bill proposed that the committee be made a four-member body comprising the chief minister, Leader of the Opposition, Speaker and a retired judge who would be selected in consultation with the chief minister and the Speaker.
The bill is still awaiting the Governor's assent.
With the Supreme Court deadline to appoint a new Lokayukta already over, the state government is in a hurry to fill the post. The present ombudsman, Justice NK Mehtrotra has already spent nine years in office.