Former army chief General VK Singh addressing the media
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly will today discuss former army chief General VK Singh's allegations that politicians in the state were paid money by the army. Yesterday, opposition leader Mehbooba Mufti had demanded a discussion on General Singh's claims.
In a TV interview last month, General Singh had said that paying ministers was nothing new in Jammu and Kashmir, claiming it was a means to "get people together in Kashmir". He was reacting to allegations that a secret intelligence unit set up by him had funded a minister to topple the National Conference-led government. The minister, Ghulam Hasan Mir, has denied the allegation.
After his comment sparked a massive controversy, General Singh addressed a press conference, saying, the money wasn't a bribe.
"This money wasn't for their personal use or political reasons. It was not a bribe. It was meant to organise events to win the hearts and minds of people and get them away from separatist propaganda," the former army chief said, also emphasising that every paisa was accounted for.
A resolution moved by Chief Minister's Omar Abdullah's National Conference has asked General Singh to name the politicians he claims to have been paid by the army or face legal action.
Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde had also asked for the politicians to be named, saying, "If details are given, we can investigate," he said.