The BJP in Kerala has formally objected to the Kerala Cabinet’s decision to name former judge Justice (Retd.) Babu Mathew P. Joseph as the Ombudsman for Local Self-Government Institutions. The party leaders, including BJP Kerala President Rajeev Chandrasekhar and General Secretary Suresh, met Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to present a detailed petition against the appointment. They highlighted a violation of the Kerala Lok Ayukta Act, 1999, which prohibits a former Lok Ayukta or Upa Lok Ayukta from holding any subsequent government office.
The BJP emphasized that Justice Babu Mathew P. Joseph’s prior role as Upa Lok Ayukta disqualifies him from serving as Ombudsman. They argued that the Ombudsman position, being a statutory office with government-funded remuneration, falls under the definition of an “office of profit” as per the Act. The party stressed that the Act’s Section 5(3) clearly prohibits such appointments without room for discretionary interpretation, cautioning that any violation could face legal challenges.
The BJP raised concerns about the potential compromise of institutional independence by appointing ineligible candidates to watchdog roles. They underscored the importance of upholding eligibility norms to maintain public trust in governance oversight bodies at the grassroots level. The party urged the Governor to reconsider the Cabinet’s decision on legal grounds, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to statutory requirements to avoid undermining the credibility of such appointments.
