SRINAGAR: The State Legislative Assembly today passed a unanimous resolution asking the Centre to conduct a thorough and time-bound probe into the charges levelled by former Army Chief V K Singh about political payoffs to mainstream politicians of the State.
The resolution was passed at the end of three and a half hour discussion on the allegations made by Gen Singh recently.
While concluding the discussion, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah proposed the one-line resolution for a thorough probe which was unanimously adopted by the house.
Omar said the mainstream political institutions were in danger and the allegations levelled by Gen (retd) Singh had caused unprecedented damage to these institutions.
“We are not responsible for this damage. It was your (Centre’s) inquiry (into the functioning of Technical Services Division of Army). The leak took place from there (Delhi) but we are bearing the consequences,” Omar said.
The Chief Minister said if the Centre really wants to do justice with the institution of mainstream politics, it should not dismiss these allegations.
“Right or wrong, we will wait for the outcome of the inquiry. We don’t want to jump to the conclusion but there should be a time-bound probe that will bring out the facts. There is no other way to restore the image of mainstream politicians among the people,” he said.
Omar said the politicians of the State have to face the people of the State few months later in Lok Sabha elections and State Assembly polls.
“If we have to face the people with this stigma of V K Singh, then that might be the Centre’s wish. As much as we would try to give explanations who will buy them,” he said.
The Chief Minister said as the leader of the house he was duty bound not to ignore the allegations made by Gen Singh and wrote a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on September 25.
“I remained quiet about it as the Prime Minister was out of the country and did not want him to know about it through the media,” Omar said.
Quoting from the letter, Omar said “I wish to draw your kind attention towards the news item that has appeared in the print media and extensively debated on certain Television channels relating to alleged payments by some establishments of the Army authorities to few politicians including ministers in Jammu and Kashmir Government.
“The same news has caused great deal of anger among the public in general and political class in particular in the State. The charges being of a serious nature and need to be probed to arrive at the truth.
“The finger of suspicion is being pointed at all mainstream politicians, causing immense damage to the institution of democracy in the State and allowed forces inimical to democratic process to dub all mainstream politicians as paid operatives of the Army,” he said. (AGENCIES)
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