In the middle of a political storm over the Lokpal’s decision to procure seven BMW sedans worth ₹70 lakh each, Amitabh Kant, India’s G20 Sherpa and former NITI Aayog CEO, chose a very different kind of ride.
Kant announced on X (formerly Twitter) that he had switched to the Mahindra XEV9, an electric SUV made in India, calling it a step toward cleaner mobility and self-reliance. “Those wanting to buy BMWs should switch to the Make in India EV experience. It will elevate you to another level,” he wrote.
His post quickly went viral — both as a climate-conscious statement and a thinly veiled critique of the Lokpal’s controversial car purchase.
Lokpal’s BMW Tender Sparks Political Outrage
The Lokpal of India, the country’s anti-corruption ombudsman, recently issued a tender to procure seven BMW 3 Series Li sedans, each priced around ₹70 lakh. The move has drawn widespread criticism for its optics, given the institution’s role in upholding integrity and restraint in public service.
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Former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram questioned the decision, pointing out that even Supreme Court judges use modest vehicles. “Why should the Lokpal require BMWs?” he asked, urging members to reject the offer.
Rajya Sabha MP Abhishek Singhvi, who once chaired Parliament’s Lokpal Committee, called the decision “tragic irony.” “The guardians of integrity are chasing luxury over legitimacy,” he wrote on X, adding, “If this is our anti-corruption watchdog, it’s more poodle than panther.”
Kant’s Symbolic Move: EVs Over Excess
In contrast, Kant’s decision to drive a homegrown electric vehicle served as a quiet counterpoint. “Delighted to contribute to India’s journey towards a greener future,” he said, highlighting Mahindra’s innovative EV design and performance.
He also urged the Lokpal to reconsider its tender and instead opt for Indian-made electric alternatives such as the Mahindra XEV9E, BE 6, or Tata Harrier EV. “These are world-class,” he said in an earlier post, arguing that public institutions must lead the transition to sustainable mobility.
For many observers, Kant’s gesture symbolized a broader debate — one about public accountability, environmental responsibility, and what leadership looks like in an age of scrutiny.
An Institution Under Question, A Message of Reform
The Lokpal, chaired by Justice A.M. Khanwilkar, has faced mounting questions over its effectiveness. Since its formation in 2019, it has received 8,703 complaints, but only 24 investigations and six prosecutions have followed.
Against that backdrop, the optics of acquiring high-end vehicles have compounded perceptions of aloofness. As one analyst remarked, “It’s less about the BMWs and more about what they symbolize.”
Amitabh Kant’s decision — personal, symbolic, and public — may not reverse the Lokpal’s procurement, but it has reframed the conversation: from one about luxury, to one about leadership by example.
