SRINAGAR : Announcing that he was ready for any inquiry, State Agriculture minister Ghulam Hassan Mir did not say anything about his resignation as demanded by ruling and opposition party members in the Legislative Assembly this evening.
Shortly before Chief Minister Omar Abdullah started debate on the revelations of former Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) that politicians were being paid money from Army secret fund since 1947, Mr Mir sought the permission of Speaker Mubarl Gul to make a statement.
Mr Mir said allegations were made against his person.
“It is not the question of any individual but the credibility of entire House… Democracy and institution of Army. India is a biggest democracy in the world. J&K acceded with India only because of democracy. However, no country can survive without Army which has a biggest role. Army cannot interfere in democracy. Army played a great role in bringing peace because of which elections were held in the State.
“Nobody is in the House because of ‘agencies’ but people voted for them. I want credibility of the House,” Mr Mir said. He was ready for any inquiry. “I have not done anything which will put the head of any member to shame,” he announced.
Mr Abdullah said, “There allegations that Mir was paid Rs 1.26 crore to topple my Government. No sane person could believe that a Government can be toppled with this amount. Even a municipal committee also could not be toppled by this amount.”
“I would have asked Mr Mir to resign if I would have believed that it was possible,” Mr Abdullah said.
Earlier, ruling NC member Dr Mustafa Kamal demanded resignation of Mr Mir.
Communist Party of India (M) member Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami and Independent Er Sheikh Abdul Rashid also asked Mir to resign on moral grounds till the inquiry was conducted.
Other members who participated in the debate also repeatedly named Mr Mir in their speech. (AGENCIES)
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