The Modi government, which had been at loggerheads with the Governor since 2011 over the appointment of Lokayukta, on November 27 recommended Justice Buch's name to the post.
A major controversy erupted when the Governor appointed Justice (retd) R A Mehta as Lokayukta on August 25, 2011, without consulting the state government.
This led to a long-drawn legal battle that reached the Supreme Court, which subsequently upheld the Governor's decision.
Another twist came when Justice Mehta declined to take charge of the office in August this year, citing the long legal battle over his appointment and “the government not accepting his objectivity and credibility.”
Leader of Opposition Shankarsinh Vaghela, however, could not attend the function since he said he received the invitation only yesterday just a day before the event.
