Statement given by Mr. Sajjad Ahmad Kitchloo in the Press Conference today at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan, Jammu. My family and I have a track record of sixty years in politics. Me and my father late Bashir Ahmad Kitchloo have always stood for probity and transparency in public life and secularism has been the bed rock of our political ideology and we are associated with the J&K National Conference whose basic principal is to uphold the communal harmony and brotherhood in the state. Certain unfortunate incidents happened in Kishtwar which I unreservedly condemn. Hon’ble Chief Minister has ordered a judicial enquiry by a retired Judge of the High Court to unravel the truth. Truth must come out, culprits must be identified and those responsible must be punished. Certain political parties for their petty ends are trying to malign my name by blaming me for the incidents that happened on the festival of Holy Eid. ‘I AM INNOCENT’, I have done no wrong, my conscious is clear, my electorate of Kishtwar vouch for my secular credentials and I am deeply hurt that for petty political ends some people have stooped so low as to accuse me of something I have not done. I take strong exception to what Mr. Arun Jaitley said, Did Modi resign after Godhra, what happened to Amit Shah who is now the star campaigner of BJP in Uttar Pradesh. Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones on others. PDP says I am to be blamed. I am to be blamed for ensuring that PDP has no presence and existence in the Chenab valley. I want the truth should come out. Hon’ble Chief Minister as I said has ordered a Judicial probe. My conscience does not allow me to continue as a Minister till probe files its findings. I discussed the call of my conscience with my party colleagues and have decided to proceed from the party headquarters to the Chief Minister’s residence to tender my resignation to the Hon’ble Chief Minister , so that my presence does not cast a shadow on an independent probe. Mr. Omar Abdullah is my leader and I have full faith in him and above all I have an endearing faith in Almighty and Truth shall prevail and justice will be done.
Posted on: Mon, 12 Aug 2013 17:02:42 +0000