Hirra Azmat
Jammu, Feb 11: Governor Satya Pal Malik on Monday said that “he plays the role of Chief Minister too” and would give a befitting reply to anyone who attempts to politically corner the Central government.
Countering the criticism over division of Ladakh, the Governor said, “Governor house is not built so that the Governor plays golf all day. Rather I am a representative to the President, who heads a government in Delhi.”
He told reporters on the sidelines of a function in Katra township of Reasi district, “If you continuously target the same government, then someone is bound to give a befitting response. Since I am the Governor, the role of Chief Minister is also played by me and I won’t shy away from responding to the abuses,”
Malik denied when asked whether his administration plans to give divisional status to any other region of the state.
“It (divisional status) was imperative for both the districts of Leh and Kargil…let those talking about it come to power and do so,” the Governor said.
The Governor also came out in support for the Army officer who allegedly beat a man from Pulwama and threatened to kill him in an encounter, drawing a strong backlash from mainstream and regional parties.
“I have full faith in Army and stand by them,” he said.
Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had visited the injured man in SMHS hospital and demanded action against the officer.
By claiming to be CM, guv wants to delay assembly polls: NC
Srinagar, Feb 11: 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.
The spokesman said that Gov SP Malik 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.”
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”, the spokesman 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.
He 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,” the spokesman added.
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 a 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.
