J&K Governor says shouldn't have made the controversial statement but slams Omar Abdullah over its criticism.
A day after Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik gave message to terrorists to target those who have looted the state rather than securitymen, the senior leader has expressed regret for his statement.
Malik on Monday clarified his statement, adding that as a Governor he should have avoided it. "Whatever I said was in a fit of anger and frustration due to rampant corruption. As a Governor, I should not have said this. But if I was not holding this post, I would have said the same and would have been ready to bear the consequences," he told ANI.
Terming Omar Abdullah a "political juvenile", Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Monday lashed out at the former chief minister, accusing him of nepotism and corruption.
Malik said he does not have the family backing and money that Abdullah has.
The verbal attack comes after the National Conference leader, in a tweet, slammed the Governor for saying that terrorists should kill corrupt people rather than targeting security forces.
"He is a kid and I have always had a good feeling about him, but now he is behaving like a political juvenile. I am in politics from the last 50 years. I never had the backing from my father and grandfather or the kind of money that he possesses. The days of their rule are over and they must stop thinking themselves as kings," Malik told ANI.
He further alleged that Abdullah has shares in famous hotels and owns houses in Delhi, London, and Dubai. "I promise you that I will unearth the corruption done by him over the years," the Governor said.
Abdullah earned Malik's ire for his habit of tweeting. The Governor said that the political leader, who tweets on a variety of issues, only invites abuses on his timeline. "He tweets on everything. If you see the comments on his tweets, you would notice that at least 90 per cent of the people abuse and disagree with him. He is now used to tweeting such things," scoffed the governor. Continuing his tirade against Abdullah, the Governor suggested him to come to Delhi and see his reputation in the eyes of the people.
"Because of my reputation in Delhi, I am the Governor and you are what you are because of yours," Malik remarked. Malik had stoked a controversy in a speech, on July 21, by saying that terrorists should gun down those who have looted the country and their state, rather than attacking security forces.
1. What did Satya Pal Malik say?
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"These boys who have picked up guns are killing their own people, they are killing PSOs (personal security officer) and SPOs (special police officers). Why are you killing them? Kill those who have looted the wealth of Kashmir. Have you killed any of them?" Malik asked, speaking at a tourism function in Kargil of Ladakh region.
His comments were roundly criticised by opposition parties.
2. Omar Abdullah's retort
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Former J&K CM Omar Abdullah said:
This man, ostensibly a responsible man occupying a constitutional position, tells militants to kill politicians perceived to be corrupt. Perhaps the man should find out about his own reputation in Delhi these days before sanctioning unlawful killings & kangaroo courts. https://t.co/bsa9khBjkC
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) July 21, 2019
Save this tweet - after today any mainstream politician or serving/retired bureaucrat killed in J&K has been murdered on the express orders of the Governor of J&K Satyapal Malik.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) July 21, 2019
3. Terrorism on the decline, says Malik
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"The government of India will never go down before a gun," he said, asking the terrorists to not take the route of violence.Malik said only 250 terrorists were remaining in the Valley, out which 50 percent were Pakistanis who will be eliminated in encounters, unless they surrender.
"The maulivis promise you heaven after death but here I am promising you heaven while you live, provided you shun the path of violence," he added in his appeal to the local terrorists.Taking a veiled dig at mainstream politicians, Malik said these leaders talk a different language in Delhi and a different one in Kashmir. "They should speak in one language at both places and need not scare us," he said.
