Srinagar: National Conference on Monday hit out at Governor SP Malik for his claims of being Chief Minister of State and termed his statements blatant efforts to delay assembly elections in J&K.
In a statement issued to KNS, party spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar said, “Let us remind Gov SP Malik that he has been planted by New Delhi as Governor of the State, a measure that in all respects is interim till a democratically elected government takes shape.”
Imran said that Governor Malik’s statements made at Katra Jammu, claiming to be “not only the Governor of the State but the Chief Minister also” were not only outrageous but dangerous to the institutions of democracy in J&K. He said that such statements have demeaned the institution that Malik is holding.
While expressing shock over his iteration that “Raj Bhawan is not for playing golf only”, Imran said, “People of J&K would have liked to believe that Raj Bhawan will smoothen the path to democracy while maintaining an impartial, apolitical approach towards day-to-day governance issues… but that is not to be.” He said that Governor Malik wanted to lord over J&K sans any accountability.
Imran said that Governor Malik is a nominated individual who is at the helm of affairs in J&K because his political masters in New Delhi wanted someone plaint, unlike his predecessor NN Vohra who is known to have taken a pro-state stand on many issues. “We have seen how his decisions taken without taking people of State on board have deepened the trust deficit in a sensitive state like J&K,” Imran said.
NC said that it is “no secret” that Governor Malik is a “stooge” of BJP in J&K and is actively campaigning for the party from Raj Bhawan. Imran said that Governor’s compromised stance was “more clear than ever” after the recent decision of keeping headquarters of newly carved out division of J&K permanently in Leh. “Like BJP, the Governor is playing partisan politics,” he said. He called the silence of Governor despite mass-scale protests in Kargil “criminal” and said it only proved that Raj Bhawan had been relegated as a local political headquarter of BJP now.
NC urged that Governor Malik guards his tongue and keeps the political ambitions of his masters out of Raj Bhawan. “The State is a very sensitive one, and the reckless statements of Governor can render a jolt to the harmony of the regions,” he said. (KNS)
