SRINAGAR: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has been called for questioning at the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office in Srinagar on Monday in connection with alleged misappropriation of funds when he was the Chairman of J&K Cricket Association.
As the Enforcement Directorate questioned the National Conference NC chief Farooq Abdullah for alleged irregularities in the Jammu Kashmir Cricket Association, the NC hit back at the ruling BJP accusing it of indulging in “witch hunt” days after the UT’s mainstream parties united to seek the restoration of Article 370.
According to details, ED had issued summons to the former Chief Minister and called him for questioning in connection with the alleged misappropriation of Rs 43 crore when he was chairman of J&K Cricket Association.
NC vice-chairman Omar Abdullah said: “ED’s sudden summon to Farooq sahab displays the extent of GOI’s nervousness about mainstream parties in J&K fighting as one unit. It also reeks of political vendetta and won’t in the least blunt our collective resolve to fight for our rights.”
The NC also officially attacked the BJP questioning the timing of ED summons and questioning.
“After failing to politically fight party president Farooq Abdullah, BJP has resorted to employing its agencies for the task. The ED summon to Dr Farooq Abdullah is clearly the result of the unity that Dr Sahib has been able to forge among mainstream political parties in J&K. This is the price one faces when opposed to BJP’s ideology and divisive politics,” the NC said.
The NC said recent history was a witness to how the BJP had been employing coercive and intimidating measures through various departments to target the Opposition leaders across the country.
“The timing of the recent ED summon is very clear. His previous summons were just before August 5 last year and today’s summon comes within days of forming the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration of which Dr Farooq Abdullah has taken a lead,” the party said.
The JKNC added that Abdullah continued to maintain his innocence and will cooperate with the authorities “in what is nothing but a witch hunt”.
“The party will be responding to this ED summons shortly. This is nothing less than political vendetta coming days after the formation of the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration. To set the record straight no raids are being conducted at Dr Sahib’s residence,” Omar tweeted.
The BCCI had reportedly given funds to Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association from 2002 to 2011 as a grant for the promotion of cricket in J&K, out of which Rs 43.69 crore was allegedly siphoned off.