Governor Satya Pal Malik has dismissed the criticism by the PDP and the NC of his “political” statements.
Last week, Malik rejected Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti’s demand for action against an army officer accused of torturing and threatening a civilian, saying she didn’t need to be taken seriously and he stood by the security forces. Objecting to his remarks, the PDP and the National Conference had accused the governor of “taking sides brazenly” and “unnecessary interference in politics” respectively.
“Is the governor’s house only meant for playing golf all the time? The governor’s house is the representative of the president and there is president’s government in New Delhi… I represent that government and I have to put forth its viewpoint,” Malik told reporters on the sidelines of a function in Katra.
“If you abuse the (central) government on a daily basis, somebody has to reply. I am doing only that. I am not only the governor but the chief minister as well,” he said.