"Lokpal now Shockpal": Jairam Ramesh criticises anti-corruption body's tender to purchase BMW luxury cars

New Delhi [India], October 22 (ANI): Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday criticised the Office of Lokpal over its reported move to purchase seven BMW 330 Li (Long Wheel Base) luxury cars, saying that the anti-corruption authority was now a "shockpal".
Speaking to ANI, Ramesh questioned the actions of the Lokpal and inquired about the investigations and arrests conducted by the Lokpal.
"Lokpal is not Lokpal any longer. It is 'Shokpal' and 'Shockpal'. Anna Hazare, Arvind Kejriwal, 'India Against Corruption', and the RSS did a lot of publicity in 2012 and 2013, emphasising the importance of the Lokpal. Now just look at the actions of the Lokpal itself. Which investigations have Lokpal initiated? Which people have they arrested?" Ramesh said.
Meanwhile, Ramesh also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi after US President Donald Trump reiterated his "India agreed to stop Russia oil purchase" claims, saying that the Howdy Modi - Namaste Trump is "completely spoiled".
"PM Narendra Modi has finally acknowledged that he spoke with President Trump, but he only stated that President Trump wished him a happy Diwali. But whatever PM Modi hides, President Trump reveals," the Congress leader said.
"In the last six days, President Trump said this four different times that he spoke with PM Modi, who ensured that India will stop purchasing Russian oil. We received information about Operation Sindoor first from President Trump, and now we are also getting information about Russian Oil from President Trump. What is PM Modi hiding? Which pressure is he under? What is he afraid of? 'Howdy Modi - Namaste Trump' is completely spoiled. It's clear that 'dost dost na raha'," he added.
His remarks come after the Office of the Lokpal of India reportedly began the process of purchasing BMW 330 Li (Long Wheel Base) luxury cars by issuing a public tender.
Reacting to this, Congress leader P Chidamabaram asserted earlier that even Supreme Court judges are provided modest sedans and further expressed hope that some members of the Lokpal office will refrain from using these luxury cars.
"When Honourable judges of the Supreme Court are provided modest sedans, why do the Chairman and six members of the Lokpal require BMW cars? Why spend public money to acquire these cars? I hope that at least one or two members of the Lokpal have refused, or will refuse, to accept these cars," Chidambaram wrote on X.
The tender invites bids from interested suppliers to provide the high-end sedans, each priced at over Rs 60 lakh, according to automobile market estimates. The evaluation of bids is scheduled to begin on November 7, officials familiar with the development reportedly said.
As per reports, the Lokpal plans to acquire seven BMW 330 Li cars, with the total cost expected to exceed Rs 5 crore. Once the vehicles are delivered, BMW will reportedly conduct a week-long training programme for the Lokpal's drivers and staff, covering the vehicles' systems, safety features, and operational instructions.
The procurement is said to be part of the Lokpal's broader efforts to streamline its transport and administrative facilities.
The Lokpal is an independent anti-corruption authority in India, created to represent the public interest and investigate corruption allegations at the national level. It was established under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, enacted by Parliament following the Jan Lokpal movement led by social activist Anna Hazare in 2010.
The current Chairperson of the Lokpal is Justice Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar, a former Judge of the Supreme Court of India. The Lokpal reportedly has the authority to investigate corruption complaints against the Prime Minister, Union Ministers, Members of Parliament, and central government officials from Groups A, B, C, and D.
Its jurisdiction also extends to chairpersons, members, and officers of any board, corporation, or trust established by an Act of Parliament or funded by the Central Government, as well as societies or trusts receiving foreign contributions above Rs 10 lakh. While the Lokpal functions at the national level, similar bodies known as Lokayuktas handle corruption matters at the state level. (ANI)