“Hypocrisy”: CM Omar hits back at Mehbooba Mufti on backdoor jobs remark

Rehan Qayoom Mir

Srinagar, June 26: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday strongly refuted allegations by PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti regarding 25,000 alleged irregular appointments, accusing her party of hypocrisy and citing past instances of “backdoor recruitments” during previous regimes.

Speaking with reporters in Zadibal, CM Omar, per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), invoked a Hindi saying – “ulta chor kotwal ko daante” – to counter the claims. “Those who made the highest number of illegal and backdoor appointments are now making these allegations. Should we forget that many of their backdoor appointments were cancelled by the courts?” he said.

The Chief Minister also alleged that even individuals linked to Mufti’s family had benefitted from irregular recruitment processes. He cited the example of Sartaj Madni’s son, claiming he was appointed through a “backdoor process” and later removed following court directions.

Abdullah further referred to alleged irregularities in Jammu and Kashmir Bank appointments, many of which, he said, remain under investigation by probe agencies. “If I begin counting the backdoor appointments made during the PDP-BJP government, you would not have enough time to hear the entire list,” he added.

Challenging Mufti to substantiate her claims, the Chief Minister said his government was prepared to respond with facts. “Let them produce even a single piece of evidence to support their allegations. Name just one candidate who has been given a backdoor appointment under our government, and we will explain,” he said, asserting that his administration would not engage in responding to “baseless allegations”.

He also said the government has compiled all relevant information on the issue. “God willing, within the next one or two days, two of my senior ministers will address the press and place all the facts before the people,” Abdullah added.

Meanwhile, he expressed hope that the Ashura procession would soon be restored to its traditional route, saying his government would continue its efforts to ensure its full restoration.

He said eveyone knows the significance of the month of Muharram, especially, the 10th of Muharram. “The sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and the lessons we draw from that sacrifice are of immense importance. As long as we remember those lessons, it will be for our betterment. But when we forget those teachings, we end up facing destruction and ruin,” he said.

He added the government has made several efforts in the past to bring the procession back to its historic route, but it could not achieve that completely. “We will continue our efforts in the future as well,” he said—(KNO)