TV
Even though the Mohan Majhi government has completed a month, an important post like that of the Advocate General (AG) is lying vacant. While the list of aspirants for the post is growing, the Opposition BJD on Tuesday took a swipe at the newly-formed BJP government over alleged dilly-dallying the appointment process.
BJP leader and advocate Pitambar Acharya is a likely frontrunner for the post. Before the election, Acharya had contributed a lot to the party by fighting legal battles. He also contested against the then Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on his home turf Hinjili in the 2019 election.
The other aspirants are advocate Manas Mohapatra and Anup Basu. However, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi will take the final call.
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The Opposition BJD targeted the BJP over buying time in appointing an advocate general.
“The appointment of Advocate General is done after the first cabinet meeting. It has been done so earlier. The state government is afflicted with policy paralysis and decision paralysis. They don’t know how to run a government,” said BJD spokesperson Lekhashree Samantasinghar.
In response, BJP spokesperson Manoj Mohapatra said, “In the past, they too took six months time to appoint an AG. The party will appoint an AG at the right time. The BJD should not be impatient. Can they say what returns their AGs gave to Odisha people?”
An AG is a constitutional post and with the approval of the government, the Governor appoints him. He is the first advisor to the government. At the time of constitutional crisis in the House, he can participate.
“Because of the AG post lying vacant, providing justice to people, the legal process and the process to defend the government have been affected. The new government may be deciding on such a person who is both loyal and experienced. But, we hope the post will soon be filled up,” said Sitanshu Dwivedi, president, Odisha Bar Council, Cuttack.
