New Delhi, Dec 26 (IANS): The BJP Thursday criticised the UPA government's decision to set up a commission of inquiry into the alleged snooping on a young woman by the Gujarat Police, saying it was "political vindictiveness" against its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.

"The centre's decision to institute a fresh inquiry into the alleged snooping case is an attempt to tarnish the image of the Gujarat government. It is a step against the federal structure of our constitution. When the state government had already ordered a probe, what was the point behind setting up a new commission of inquiry," Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh asked.

Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said the decision could be challenged in court.

"The Gujarat government has already set up a commission of inquiry… The setting up of a parallel commission by the central government ostensibly on the pretext of this issue covering more than one state is without basis… I am sure it can be legally challenged," he said.

The young woman, an architect who was in Karnataka capital Bangalore, was allegedly under the surveillance of Gujarat Police.

Jaitley said the setting up of the new commission was "politically motivated".

"It is an affront to the states. I hope other chief ministers also join the protest against this action," he said.

BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman told mediapersons: "Congress is trying to hit at the principal opposition party's prime ministerial candidate. It is a clear case of political vindictiveness coming into play."

The Congress leads the United Progressive Alliance government.

Two news portals had claimed last month that former Gujarat home minister Amit Shah had ordered the illegal surveillance of a woman at the behest of a "saheb", widely believed to be Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

Sitharaman said the probe was into a matter that was a state subject. Also, an inquiry was being held under the Commission of Inquiry Act by a retired judge and another member.

She accused the Congress of a "fascist mindset" and said it was a clear case of "getting back" after a crushing defeat in assembly elections in four states.

The union cabinet Thursday approved the setting up of a commission of inquiry into the alleged snooping on a young woman by Gujarat Police.