File pic: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah
Srinagar:
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today called for an investigation into former Army Chief VK Singh's allegation that the army pays ministers in his state to maintain peace and stability, and said he had taken it up with the Centre.
"We have no financial dealings with the army. His accusations have made our jobs more difficult and have dealt a blow to the credibility of the people working in my government and political parties," Mr Abdullah said.
The comments came as the state's opposition PDP called for an investigation into the alleged "army-minister nexus".
The controversy exploded after the General's comment in a TV interview on Monday that paying ministers was nothing new in Jammu and Kashmir and was a means to "get people together in Kashmir."
He was reacting to allegations that an Army report says a secret intelligence unit set up by him had funded a minister to topple the National Conference-led government. The minister, Ghulam Hasan Mir, has denied the allegation.
Asked whether the minister would be axed, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said: "Leave it to me and my coalition partner Congress. We will deal with it."
Yesterday, Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde had said, "Name the politicians. If details are given, we can investigate."
General Singh on Tuesday sought to explain his comment saying the money allegedly paid to Jammu and Kashmir ministers was not a bribe.
"This money wasn't for their personal use or political reasons. It was meant to organise events to win the hearts and minds of people and get them away from separatist propaganda," the former chief said, also emphasising that every paisa was accounted for.
But former state sports minister RS Chib slammed the General's claim that the army had started the Kashmir Premier League cricket to draw in young men who were notorious for stone pelting protests.
"The league was the state government's brainchild. The government paid Rs 10 lakh prize money to the players and gave all the technical support," Mr Chib said.
"We have no financial dealings with the army. His accusations have made our jobs more difficult and have dealt a blow to the credibility of the people working in my government and political parties," Mr Abdullah said.
The comments came as the state's opposition PDP called for an investigation into the alleged "army-minister nexus".
The controversy exploded after the General's comment in a TV interview on Monday that paying ministers was nothing new in Jammu and Kashmir and was a means to "get people together in Kashmir."
He was reacting to allegations that an Army report says a secret intelligence unit set up by him had funded a minister to topple the National Conference-led government. The minister, Ghulam Hasan Mir, has denied the allegation.
Asked whether the minister would be axed, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said: "Leave it to me and my coalition partner Congress. We will deal with it."
Yesterday, Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde had said, "Name the politicians. If details are given, we can investigate."
General Singh on Tuesday sought to explain his comment saying the money allegedly paid to Jammu and Kashmir ministers was not a bribe.
"This money wasn't for their personal use or political reasons. It was meant to organise events to win the hearts and minds of people and get them away from separatist propaganda," the former chief said, also emphasising that every paisa was accounted for.
But former state sports minister RS Chib slammed the General's claim that the army had started the Kashmir Premier League cricket to draw in young men who were notorious for stone pelting protests.
"The league was the state government's brainchild. The government paid Rs 10 lakh prize money to the players and gave all the technical support," Mr Chib said.
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