Panaji, Mar 5 (IANS): The Supreme Court's decision, quashing the illegal appointment of tainted chief vigilance commissioner (CVC) P.V. Thomas, is a slap in the face of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, BJP leader Gopinath Munde said Friday.

Munde said the laws governing the appointment of constitutional authorities, like the CVC or for example the Lok Ayukta (ombudsman), should be strengthened to ensure that serious lapses like in the case of the controversial appointment of P.V. Thomas are not allowed to happen.

"This is the first time in the history of India that an appointment made by the prime minister has been termed illegal by the Supreme Court of India. This is a slap on the face of the prime minister," Munde told reporters.

Munde also said that the laws, as per which appointment of heads of constitutional bodies, are made needed to be made watertight.

"The present laws for appointment of heads of constitutional heads need to be changed. The selection of the members should be a collective decision and not by majority," Munde said.