New Delhi, Feb 10: Trapped in the examgate wherein he had allegedly helped his son to pass the Board examination, Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister Peerzada Muhammad Sayeed has resigned. The resignation comes after a Crime Branch probe had found prima facie evidence confirming that some officials had on his behalf helped his son pass the 10th class examination using unfair means.
Greater Kashmir was the first to break the story of Sayeed using the services of some BOSE and Education department officials to see his son through in the examination. The newspaper has in its possession the CB report indicting the Minister.
Under intense pressure to quit after an enquiry ordered by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah found the allegations true, he has sent his resignation to Congress president Sonia Gandhi. The Minister was forced to resign after Abdullah strongly took up the case with the Congress high command.
Sources in the AICC said that Sayeed’s ouster from the National Conference-Congress Government had become a foregone conclusion after the CB probe confirmed the charge. The party leadership decided to take a quick decision as lingering on the issue would have proved politically untenable in view of the ongoing high profile UP Assembly elections where the party campaign is being spearheaded by the AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi.
Expectedly, an incensed Sayed by-passed the Chief Minister and chose to sent in his resignation directly to the party high command. The resignation comes after detailed consultations Omar Abdullah had with the Congress leaders here during the last three days during which he briefed them about the findings of the CB probe that had established wrong-doings in connivance with some officials.
The Jammu and Kashmir Crime Branch had found prima facie evidence showing the involvement of officials of both the BOSE and Education department.
"I have resigned from the council of ministers. I have forwarded my resignation to the party high command", Peerzada told reporters in Jammu.
"It is their decision now to decide on it. I do not want to create problems for the party", Peerzada said.
"As far as my statement to the media is concerned, I will call a press conference in a day or two and reveal all facts before the media", Peerzada said.
News agency KNS quoted Sayeed as saying, “I don’t want to create problems for Congress and Sonia Ji. CM isn’t my boss, but Sonia Ji is.”
Asked what forced him to resign, the Minister said, “Chief Minister said yesterday that minister isn’t involved but his fate will be decided in 24 hours. I can’t stay in this Cabinet. It was wrong on his part to make such a statement. I wasn’t his (CM’s) nominee, but nominee of my party. I am not a kid and it was attack on my integrity.”
“I know where from the instructions to newspapers and channels came to carry the news and press releases against me. I will reveal it in a press conference,” he said.
The senior Congress leader said that he recently met Sonia Gandhi. “I told her that there were so many things on Kashmir and said I will reveal it after elections,” he added.
(WITH INPUTS FROM PTI AND KNS)

Celebrations in Minister’s village
AFTER hearing the news of the resignation, youth gathered in groups and celebrated with fire crackers in Peerzada’s village Damhal in south Kashmir. The people were also seen congratulating one another on the Education Minister’s exit and raised slogans against him. Celebrations were on till late evening.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:00:00 IST