New Delhi, October 25: Congress legislature leader in the Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, wrote a strongly-worded letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the CVC's decision to send CBI director Alok Verma on a forced leave.

Kharge, who is part of the selection panel which appoints the CBI chief, expressed his disapproval on Verma being divested of his powers. Calling the move illegal, Kharge said the PM should had convened a selection committee meeting to decide on the case. CBI vs CBI Row: Alok Verma Remains Director, Rakesh Asthana Special Director; 'Nageswara Rao Given Only Interim Charge'.

As per the norm, Kharge pointed out, the selection or removal of CBI chief and other top office bearers is decided by the committee chaired by the Prime Minister, and comprising of the Leader of Opposition (singe largest Opposition party in this case) and the Chief Justice of India.

With blatant defiance of the rule, the government has conveyed to the Opposition and the people that it feared Verma initiating a probe into the Rafale fighter jet deal.

“The only plausible explanation for this desperate and hasty move is an attempt to scuttle the ongoing investigations into the special director’s cases and other cases that might cause significant embarrassment to your government,” Kharge said in the letter.

Notably, Kharge had opposed the selection of Verma as the CBI chief back in 2017. He was the only member of the selection panel who had submitted a dissenting note on the proposal to elevate Verma tabled by the Prime Minister.

Kharge, who is now defending Verma, explained to reporters on Thursday the rationale behind his erstwhile decision. The Congress leader said he had opposed Verma's elevation last year as he was disappointed with the government for overlooking the then senior most officer RK Dutta.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 25, 2018 11:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).