SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly has passed a resolution demanding probe into allegations made by former Indian army chief, VK Singh, that the army has for long been paying the ministers here.
“The House unanimously resolves that the allegation made by Retired General V. K. Singh should be enquired in a time bound and transparent manner by the Government of India,” reads the one-line resolution.
Gen Singh has been accused of plotting to overthrow the Omar Abdullah-led government during the former’s tenure. He has also been accused of paying money to a present Agriculture Minister, Ghulam Hassan Mir to help in the plot.
The retired General later told Delhi-based news channels that the army paying Kashmir ministers was nothing new and that it had been “happening since Independence”.
The Chief minister Omar Abdullah told the Legislative Assembly that Singh’s comments had tarnished the image of pro-India political parties.
“Elections are round the corner and if the central government wants us to go to people with this bolt on our credibility, we might give whatever explanations.
But how much will people buy (the explanation) needs to be seen.”
Omar Abdullah has also written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking help.
“The charges, being of serious nature, need to be probed in order to arrive at truth which can be shared with the general public…This has caused enormous damage to the institutions of democracy in the state and allowed forces inimical to the democratic processes here to paint all mainstream politicians as paid operatives of the Army,” the letter reads, according to an official spokesman.
Abdullah has also requested Singh to ask the Ministry of Defence to share the contents of the inquiry report that has accused general Singh and also to disclose the names of the people to whom the money has allegedly been transferred.
“Such a course of action will help clear the confusion and doubts from the minds of the people and restore, to a significant extent, credibility of mainstream political parties/members amongst our people,” he said.
