Why spend public money?: Opposition leaders slam Lokpal after it floats tender to buy 7 BMW cars

New Delhi: Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram on Wednesday raised serious concerns over reports that the Office of the Lokpal of India has initiated the process of acquiring seven BMW 330Li (Long Wheel Base) luxury vehicles for official use.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the former Union Finance Minister criticised the apparent extravagance and questioned the need for such high-end cars for members of a public institution tasked with fighting corruption.

“When Honourable judges of the Supreme Court are provided modest sedans, why do the Chairman and six members of the Lokpal require BMW cars? Why spend public money to acquire these cars? I hope that at least one or two members of the Lokpal have refused, or will refuse, to accept these cars,” Chidambaram wrote.

Senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi also criticised the move and took a swipe at Lokpal.

"I chaired the Parliamentary Committee on Lokpal. Dr. L.M. Singhvi first conceived idea of Lokpal in the early 1960s. To see this anti-corruption body now ordering BMWs for its members is tragic irony, the guardians of integrity chasing luxury over legitimacy," Singhvi said on X.

In another post, he said, "8,703 complaints. Only 24 probes. 6 prosecution sanctions. And now, BMWs worth Rs 70 lakh each. If this is our anti-corruption watchdog, it's more poodle than panther!"

In a post on X, TMC MP Saket Gokhale said, "Lokpal's luxury. Annual budget of India's Lokpal is Rs 44.32 crore. Now, Lokpal is purchasing 7 luxury BMW cars at approx Rs 5 crores for all members. This equals 10% of the entire annual budget."

"Lokpal is supposedly an anti-corruption body. So who will probe the corrupt Lokpal?" he said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also lashed out at Lokpal for inviting tenders from reputed agencies for supply of seven BMW 3 Series Li Cars.

"Gazab ka Jokepal at Indian taxpayers expense. Oh between what happened to Swadesi call by GoI?" she said on X.

Public tender for luxury car

According to reports, the Lokpal office issued a public tender on 16 October, inviting bids from vendors to supply the BMW 330Li, a luxury sedan with an estimated market price of over ₹60 lakh per unit. The total procurement cost is expected to exceed ₹5 crore.

The bid evaluation process is scheduled to begin on 7 November, officials familiar with the development reportedly said. Once delivered, BMW India is expected to conduct a week-long training programme for Lokpal drivers and staff, covering vehicle systems, safety features, and operational protocols.

Part of 'Administrative Strengthening'

Sources suggest the acquisition is part of the Lokpal's broader plan to streamline its transport and administrative infrastructure. However, the move has sparked public and political backlash, given the institution's anti-corruption mandate and expectations of frugality in public spending.

The Lokpal of India was constituted under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, in response to the Jan Lokpal movement spearheaded by activist Anna Hazare. It is an independent statutory body empowered to investigate corruption complaints against the Prime Minister, Union Ministers, Members of Parliament, and central government officials across all service groups.

The Lokpal’s jurisdiction also extends to chairpersons, board members, officers of government-funded bodies, and organisations receiving foreign donations exceeding ₹10 lakh. At present, the Lokpal is chaired by Justice Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar, a former Supreme Court judge.

While the central Lokpal handles matters at the national level, Lokayuktas perform a similar anti-corruption role in individual states.