Examiner Bureau | Srinagar:
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday strongly rejected allegations of backdoor appointments against his government, describing the accusations as “baseless” and challenging his critics to produce evidence to substantiate their claims.
Speaking to reporters after participating in Ashura commemorations in Srinagar, Abdullah accused the former PDP-BJP coalition government of carrying out illegal recruitments during its tenure and alleged that those making the accusations had themselves presided over backdoor appointments.
“Let them make an allegation with evidence. Give me the name of a single candidate who got a backdoor appointment under our government, and we are ready to explain,” the Chief Minister said.
He asserted that his government was prepared to answer any allegation supported by proof.
Dismissing the charges, Abdullah said the government would soon issue a detailed response.
“There is a Hindi saying: ‘Ulta chor kotwal ko daante’ (the thief turns around and scolds the police chief). Those who made the largest number of illegal and backdoor appointments are now making these allegations,” he said.
Referring to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abdullah alleged that Sartaj Madani, a relative of PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, had received a backdoor appointment that was subsequently cancelled following court directions.
The Chief Minister’s remarks came days after Mehbooba Mufti alleged that the National Conference-led government had made 25,000 backdoor appointments since assuming office.
The allegations and counter-allegations have intensified the political confrontation between the ruling National Conference and the opposition PDP over recruitment practices in Jammu and Kashmir.
