SRINAGAR Calling Omar Abdullah a “political juvenile”, Governor Satya Pal Malik on Monday lashed out at the former chief minister, accusing him of nepotism and corruption even as constitutional head of the state said that he should not have made remarks that militants should kill corrupt people instead of policemen.
The verbal attack came after the National Conference vice president, in a tweet, slammed the Governor for saying that militants should kill those who looted the wealth of Kashmir.
“He is a kid and I have always had a good feeling about him, but now he is behaving like a political juvenile. I am in politics from the last 50 years. I never had the backing from my father and grandfather or the kind of money that he possesses. The days of their rule are over and they must stop thinking themselves as kings,” Governor Malik told a news agency.
He further alleged that Abdullah has shares in famous hotels and owns houses in Delhi, London, and Dubai.
“I promise you that I will unearth the corruption done by him over the years,” the Governor said.
The Governor said that the political leader, who tweets on a variety of issues, only invites abuses on his timeline.
“He tweets on everything. If you see the comments on his tweets, you would notice that at least 90 per cent of the people abuse and disagree with him. He is now used to tweeting such things,” scoffed the governor.
Continuing his tirade against Abdullah, the Governor suggested him to come to Delhi and see his reputation in the eyes of the people.
“Because of my reputation in Delhi, I am the Governor and you are what you are because of yours,” Malik remarked.
Malik asserted that many politicians and bureaucrats are neck deep in corruption and he had ordered an investigation in which two or three former ministers are being probed.
His “blood boils” at the levels of corruption in the state, Malik told PTI over phone from Nubra in Ladakh region. He also said he should not have made the comment as constitutional head of the state but it did reflect his feelings and he will repeat the same things when he is not governor.
“As a governor I should have refrained from making such statements but it was purely out of anger. My blood boils at seeing the level of corruption in the state… where the rich are becoming richer and the poor are becoming poorer.”
“Today, I am the governor of the state and tomorrow I may be an ordinary citizen of this country. My views will not change. I can express my opinion as an individual about the level of malpractice in this state,” Malik, who is touring Kargil and Leh, added.
The governor said the Crime Branch and the Anti-Corruption Branch are investigating two or three former ministers.
“If they are found guilty, I will ensure that they are not spared. I will not see what party they belong to.
“I may not have adequate powers according to the state laws but I will not hesitate to seek special powers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I will go to every extent to make this a corruption free state,” he said.
On Sunday, Malik stoked controversy during his address at a function in Kargil in Ladakh as he said militants should kill those who have looted entire wealth of Kashmir even as he noted that situation in Kashmir was better and that for the first time in last three decades, Hurriyat Conference did not call for a strike on the visit to the Valley by Home Minister.
He had said that militants were losing their life in vain and underlined that dialogue and not the gun was the way out to resolve issues.
The youth wielding guns are vainly killing own people. They kill PSO, SPOs. Why you kill them? Kill those who have looted entire wealth of Kashmir. Have you killed anyone of them? he had said.
They (militants) are losing their life in vain as nothing will come out it. No issue can be resolved through gun. Nobody in India can beat the country into submission. LTTE was once the most powerful terrorist organisation in the world but stands destroyed now. he had said, adding, You (militants) cannot fight governments like this. Dialogue is the way forward and you will get everything.
He said some leaders threaten government in New Delhi and in Valley they provoke people.
We tell them speak one language. Either the one in New Delhi or the one they use here.
He said the local militants are not trained enough and does not possess good weapons.
They (militants) are kids. Now 200-225 are left and around 125 are Pakistanis and whenever there is encounter, it takes to 2 to 3 hours to kill a militant because they are not trained and have no good weaponry.
He had said the militants are not told about Azadi and or autonomy but Deobandi preachers promise them heaven after death.
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