Malik takes oath as J&K Governor, Vohra skips ceremony
Srinagar, Aug 23 : Veteran politician Satya Pal Malik on Thursday took oath of office as the 13th Governor of Jammu and Kashmir here at a ceremony, which was skipped by outgoing Governor N.N. Vohra, who had held the post since 2008.
Chief Justice Gita Mittal administered the oath to Malik, 72, at the sprawling lawns of the Raj Bhavan.
His warrant of appointment by President Ram Nath Kovind was read out by Chief Secretary B.V.R. Subrahmanyam.
Former Chief Ministers Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, Union Minister of state (PMO) Jitender Singh, Speaker of Legislative Assembly Dr Nirmal Singh, judges of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, MPs, legislators, senior civil and Army officers, heads of constitutional bodies, Governor's Advisors -- B. B. Vyas, K. Vijay Kumar and Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, and Director General of Police S.P. Vaid attended the event.
When the media approached Malik for comments on his appointment, he said: "The Governor does not speak."
Born on July 24, 1946 to a family of agriculturists in Uttar Pradesh, Malik was previously the Governor of Bihar and Odisha, and was appointed Jammu and Kashmir Governor by the President on August 21.
He was a member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly during 1974-77. He was also the member of the 9th Lok Sabha and represented Aligarh Constituency from 1989 to 1991. He was member of the Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh for two terms -- 1980-86 and 1986-1992.
Malik served as Union Minister of State, Parliamentary Affairs and Tourism, from April 21, 1990 to November 10, 1990. He has been member of several parliamentary committees including Panel of Chairman, General Purposes Committee, Business Advisory Committee, Chairman, Joint Sub Committee on Telecasting of Proceedings of both Houses of Parliament, Chairman, Committee on Papers Laid on the Table, and Parliamentary Consultative Committee.
A poet and author, Malik has authored two books on poetry and a political commentary.
Having special interest in history and archaeology, Malik is also known for his social activities including establishing day-care centres for the children of poor labourers. He has also organised several farmer and youth movements during his political career stretching over six decades.
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Congress calls for probe over BJP's 'use of blackmail' to bring Ajit Pawar into NDA fold
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress on Saturday called for a probe into alleged "blackmail" and "coercion" used to bring NCP leader Ajit Pawar into the NDA fold and said the BJP's "washing machine" was nowhere more powerful than in Maharashtra.
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh cited Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's recent remarks to claim that the issue involved not just the use of "coercion and blackmail" but also breach of the oath of confidentiality and the Official Secrets Act.
"The BJP's washing machine is an all-India phenomenon but perhaps nowhere was it more powerful than in Maharashtra," he said.
When in opposition before 2014, the BJP raised allegations about massive corruption by Ajit Pawar, then the state's irrigation and water resources minister, Ramesh pointed out and added that the allegations claimed corruption to the tune of Rs 70,000 crore.
Ajit Pawar has now confirmed that blackmail and coercion surrounding these charges were used by the BJP to bring him over to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the Congress leader claimed.
"The non-biological prime minister himself led the charge, famously labelling the NCP -- now his much beloved ally at the state and Centre -- as a Naturally Corrupt Party," he said.
"Ajit Pawar has now revealed that after becoming chief minister, Devendra Fadnavis showed him a file recommending an open inquiry against Ajit Pawar in the alleged irrigation scam. One can only imagine the threat that was implicit in this move: submit to us, or face action," Ramesh said.
Ajit Pawar and several other MLAs broke away from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by his uncle Sharad Pawar and joined the Shiv Sena-BJP government in the state last year.
Ramesh asserted that this was a serious matter since it involved not just the use of coercion and blackmail but also breach of the oath of confidentiality and the Official Secrets Act.
An investigation should be conducted into this matter, the Congress leader said.
His remarks came days after Ajit Pawar alleged he was "backstabbed" by close colleague and then home minister RR Patil, who ordered an open inquiry against him in the alleged multi-crore irrigation scam.
Ajit Pawar claimed a file mentioning Patil's remarks ordering an inquiry was shown to him by BJP leader Fadnavis after he became chief minister in 2014.
He made these claims while addressing a rally for NCP candidate Sanjay Kaka Patil, who is in the fray against the late Patil's son Rohit from Tasgaon in Sangli district.
