KL Report
SRINAGAR
A day after Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) Chief Saif-ud-Din Soz said that corruption is rampant in Jammu and Kashmir, National Conference on Friday said issuing such kind of a statement is unfortunate and an attempt to defame National Conference.
“Such kinds of allegations are unfortunate and can prove unhealthy for the coalition government. I feel it is just an attempt to malign the image of National conference,” Dr Mustafa Kamal, Additional General Secretary of National conference told a local news agency, KNS.
The National Conference firebrand leader said that Soz has tried to address the issue in a wrong way which has only spoiled the image of the coalition government. “Saif-ud-Din Soz should behave like a mature politician and should desist from issuing such kind of statements,” the NC leader suggested.
He further said that if Soz feels that the corruption is rampant in government departments then why he should not come forward with a proof to substantiate his argument. “Chief Minster Omar Abdullah has created a grievance cell where anyone can file his compliant. Moreover we have a number of anti corruption wings like Vigilance Commission, State Accountability commission, where people can put forth their grievances in a proper way. But issuing the statements like Soz Sahib is completely irrational,” he said.
He added that Soz should not play a blame game as congress itself is a part of coalition government. “This way he has levelled allegations against his own party also. If he really feels that the corruption prevails in any government department then he should take up this matter with the government and find a proper solution,” he said.
Naeem Akhter, MLA and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief spokesman told KNS that what ever Soz said is based on facts. “He has spoken truth but I wish his statement has any impact on the functioning of this government. Nevertheless, Congress itself cannot escape from its responsibility as it is in the government and there are many ministers of this party who face the criminal charges.”
Akhter said that whatever, Soz said in no case absolves the Coalition government leadership from its responsibility.
Meanwhile, talking to KNS, Muzaffar Hussain Shah, Awami National Conference (AN) senior vice president said that Soz represents a party which is in coalition with the National Conference and if there is corruption congress is equally to be blamed for the same. “What is Congress doing in the government when there is rampant corruption? Congress ministers should resign and come out of the coalition.”
Shah added that if the Congress perceives that its role has become inevitable for the formation of government in Jammu and Kashmir, then, “They (Congress leaders) are living in a fool’s paradise. If they think so, it is the best time to change their mindset,” Shah told KNS.
