‘His claims need credibility check’
* BJP has done nothing which needs to be hidden
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 22: Union Home Minister Amit Shah today said the claims being made by former and last Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Satya Pal Malik needs credibility check and if he had information about irregularities, he should have spoken during his tenure.
He made these remarks while speaking at India Today Karnataka Roundtable 2023 today.
“The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hasn’t done anything that needs to be hidden. The issues should not be discussed in a public forum,” Shah said responding to a question on Malik’s allegations who had recently commented on Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF jawans were martyred and files pertaining to insurance and power project.
Malik had also made critical remarks about the BJP-led Centre, especially regarding its handling of Jammu and Kashmir, where he served as the last Governor before the erstwhile State was bifurcated into two Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh after abrogation of special status.
“If he (Satya Pal Malik) had information about irregularities, he should have spoken during his tenure. Why is he making such claims now? Shah asked.
In a recent interview, among other allegations, Satya Pal Malik said the Centre’s “lackadaisical approach” had caused the Pulwama tragedy as “the troops were denied air movement”.
Speaking about Malik’s CBI summons following his allegations, Shah said, “It is not the first time that he has been called in. He is being probed in an alleged insurance scam and the probe agency is just doing its duty. There is no relation between the CBI summons and his allegations,” he said.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has called Satya Pal Malik for questioning in connection with his claim that he was offered a Rs 300-crore bribe to clear two files during his stint in J&K.
On speculations of Malik joining hands with a rival party, the Home Minister said, “He made the claims after separating himself from us and hence, his claims are doubtful.”
Shah said Satya Pal Malik has been a part of the party for a long time.
“People change from time to time. Voters should judge carefully,” he said.
The CBI has asked former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik to answer certain queries in connection with an alleged insurance scam in the Union Territory, officials said on Friday.
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