Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge has rejected the government’s invitation to join the Lokpal selection committee meeting scheduled for Thursday to pick an “eminent jurist”. As per an Indian Express report, Kharge was invited to attend the meet as a “special invitee”. Sources told the newspaper that Congress leadership was unclear on what Kharge’s role would be in the meeting as a “special invitee”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra and Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan were the other prominent members attending the meet. Rejecting the invitation, Kharge has said that Centre is denying the voice of opposition, adding, that voting on the selection of jurist will be an eyewash.

“May I say that such myopic actions belie the spirit of nation-building, more so while constituting an institution like Lokpal. A more apt and statesmanlike conduct is expected from the prime ministers of the country,” Kharge wrote in his letter.

“If your government is, indeed, serious about ensuring that Lokpal is appointed with sanctity it deserves, I would suggest that you bring in an ordinance in shape of amending the bill that annexed herewith and place the same before Parliament as it reopens in March, 2018.”

The sources further told Indian Express that government has not revealed any information on the powers of the special invitee. Earlier this month, the government had informed the Supreme Court that the leader of the single largest party in the Opposition will be invited to attend the meeting on March 1. In April 2017, the top court had asked the government to implement the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act and appoint a Lokpal.

At that time, the court had rejected central’s argument that current law needed amendments and could not be implemented immediately. Interestingly, the centre had cited lack of an opposition leader at that time. Currently, a Bill to amend the existing law to include the leader of the largest Opposition party Lokpal panel is pending before the Parliament.

To be updated