New Delhi, September 10: In an open defiance against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi will not be attending the National Integration Council meet called by the Prime Minister on Saturday.
Sources say Modi is upset with the Centre for its refusal to take back the notification issued by Gujarat Governor Kamla Beniwal to independently appoint a Lokayukta for the state.
Modi and the BJP called the move unconstitutional, saying the governor should have consulted the Chief Minister.
he BJP had stalled Parliament this week over the issue.
However, the UPA’s argument is that as per the Constitution a governor does not need to consult a Chief Minister, and that a mere consultation with the Chief Justice is enough.
–Agencies