Srinagar: Former Army Chief VK Singh should be summoned by the J&K Legislative Council to explain his remarks on alleged army pay-offs to political leader, the ruling National Conference demanded on Tuesday.
Speaking on a discussion motion in the Upper House of J&K, NC MLC Devender Singh Rana said the allegations levelled by the former army chief "have not only brought disrepute to the Army and the country, but have also cast aspersions on the democratic process in the state".
"Time has come that VK Singh be called to the House. Let him stand here so that we ask questions. You (Chairman Amrit Malhotra) be the judge and let the truth come before the people of Jammu and Kashmir," Rana said.
The NC legislator also demanded that the House pass a resolution asking the Centre to probe the allegations.
The state Assembly yesterday passed a unanimous resolution asking the Centre to conduct a thorough and time-bound probe into the charges levelled by the former Army Chief, with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah saying he allegations cannot be dismissed.
"The allegations are a threat to the democratic polity of the state. Democracy has been challenged. The temple of democracy, that this Legislative Council is, has been cast aspersions upon. The entire democratic process in Jammu and Kashmir has been challenged," MLC Rana said today.
He stressed that summoning Singh to the House for questioning is not similar to calling the Army or Army Chief, but an individual who happens to be a former army chief.
Rana said there should be a thorough discussion on the conduct of Technical Services Division (TSD) of Army set by General Singh as it was not a part of the regular security grid.
Referring to reports alleging snooping on the Chief Minister, Rana asked "what business does an Army chief have to tap the phones of a Chief Minister?"
He said the politicians of the state were "already facing credibility crisis" and Singh`s allegations have further raised eyebrows.
"The former general would have been tried for treason if he was in some other country. He has brought a stigma to the democratic process in the state," he said.
He claimed that no one has refuted what the news report said adding, "not even the minister named in the report has denied taking money. He just says he is innocent."
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) legislator Naeem Akhtar said his party will support any resolution on the issue just like it did in the Legislative Assembly.
In a democratic system, no accusation is bigger than the accusation of toppling a democratically elected government, he said, adding, "Why has there been no action against the former Army general.
"Why did not the Union Home Ministry or Defence Ministry take any action? There are double standards when it comes to Kashmir. We are keeping Jammu and Kashmir isolated from the good, best and proud system of Indian Republic. If you probe the fake encounters in Gujarat, why not here."
Few other legislators also spoke on the discussion, which will continue in the House tomorrow.
PTI
