Babu Mathew P. Joseph
| Photo Credit: File Photo
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has opposed the State Cabinet’s decision to appoint former Justice Babu Mathew P. Joseph as the Ombudsman for local self-government bodies.
BJP State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar and general secretary S. Suresh called on Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Lok Bhavan on Friday and submitted a petition opposing the Cabinet decision.
They cited Section 5(3) of the Kerala Lok Ayukta Act, 1999, which prevents a former Lok Ayukta or Upa Lok Ayukta from holding any subsequent office of profit under the government or any authority, corporation, company, society or university referred to it.
It is contended that the post of Ombudsman is a statutory appointment with remuneration from government funds, and it falls within the provisions of Section 5(3) of the Kerala Lok Ayukta Act, 1999.
The BJP leaders urged the Governor not to approve the Cabinet decision on statutory grounds.
Published – January 24, 2026 04:04 pm IST
