Jammu: AAP MLA Mehraj Malik on Sunday launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, questioning the Jammu and Kashmir government’s authority and alleging failure to act during his arrest.
Malik was released from Kathua jail on Tuesday after the Jammu and Kashmir High Court quashed his detention under the Public Safety Act.
Malik said if the chief minister could not secure his release or challenge his detention, it raised serious doubts about the government’s ability to safeguard the future of Jammu and Kashmir.
“If the chief minister could not do anything for my release, how can he think about the future of Jammu and Kashmir?” Malik told reporters here.
He alleged that jails in the Union territory were witnessing a surge of inmates, particularly youth and those caught in drug-related cases, and said the government needed to fight for the people.
“My anger is justified. I was with the government, but those who put me in jail did it in their own style. They buy votes. They break governments. They can do anything to get power,” he alleged, accusing political rivals of trying to suppress voices that expose ground realities.
Malik also asked the chief minister to save himself the helplessness and dissolve the government if he was unable to function effectively or openly protest against the Centre.
“If work is not happening, then either resign or revolt against the central government. Sit on the streets and protest,” he said, citing AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal’s resignation in Delhi in 2014 and his subsequent electoral comeback.
“Kejriwal ji sat on protest dharna as chief minister. He went to court and fought the BJP government. What has he (Omar Abdullah) done so far except writing tweets,” he fired.
Referring to criticism from other political parties including the National Conference (NC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP), he accused them of failing to stand by him.
He maintained that Omar Abdullah, as chief minister, was accountable for governance in Jammu and Kashmir.
He further said no serious offence had been committed by him, and claimed he was jailed despite raising genuine public issues.
“I did not commit any murder or use violence. There were genuine issues, but some people got an opportunity and put me in jail,” he said.
