Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah
In a new twist to the controversy generated by former Army chief General VK Singh's startling claims of paying Jammu and Kashmir politicians including a current minister, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said there are wheels within wheels in Kashmir, and even he doesn't know for a fact whether such payments are made or not.
"There are wheels within wheels in Kashmir. Not everything that happens here is known to all. I do not know if my ministers were paid, but I don't want General VK Singh's allegations to be brushed under the carpet either," Mr Abdullah said in an exclusive interview to NDTV.
Mr Abdullah, who has asked for an inquiry into Gen Singh's allegations, says that the former Army Chief's allegations have lifted the lid on Kashmir's worst kept secret.
"This is the first acceptance of what is widely known in Kashmir: payment of money, whether from this side or from across the Line of Control," Mr Adbullah said.
Reacting to VK Singh's criticism that the Indian Army stabilised street protests that erupted in Kashmir in 2010, Mr Abdullah sarcastically said Mr Singh should be given the Bharat Ratna in that case.
The Chief Minister and the Union Home Minister have demanded that VK Singh reveal the names of the ministers or politicians who have been paid so far, a demand not yet entertained by Mr Singh.
The BJP has accused the Centre of targeting the former army chief for sharing the stage with Narendra Modi at a public rally on September 15. The event led to speculation that General Singh is on the verge of joining the BJP.