India-controlled Kashmir's highest administrative official, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Tuesday submitted his resignation to the Governor, his political advisor Davinder Sigh Rana said.
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India-controlled Kashmir's top administrative official, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah (C), walks with his father (L) to the Governor House to offer his resignation in Srinagar, summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir, July 28, 2009. Omar Abdullah announced on Tuesday to resign from the post in the floor of the assembly house following allegations leveled by an opposition member of his involvement in the infamous sex scandal that rocked the region in 2006. [Javed Dar/Xinhua] |
"Omar Abdulla has submitted his resignation to the Governor. He is a tall leader and for him his credibility is more important than remaining in power," Rana told Media in Srinagar.
Abdullah's decision to quit came following the allegations of his involvement in 2006 Kashmir sex scandal were made by an opposition member and former Deputy Chief Minister, Muzaffar Hussain Beigh on the floor of the local assembly house.
Though Abdullah termed the charges false and frivolous, he informed the assembly that he is going to quit.
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India-controlled Kashmir's top administrative official, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah (C), walks to the Governor House to offer his resignation in Srinagar, summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir, July 28, 2009. Omar Abdullah announced on Tuesday to resign from the post in the floor of the assembly house following allegations leveled by an opposition member of his involvement in the infamous sex scandal that rocked the region in 2006. [Javed Dar/Xinhua] |
"I know allegations are baseless and false. But I want to resign until I am cleared of this allegation. It is a blot on my character," Abdullah said.
Abdullah announcement created a ruckus in assembly, and he left the house soon after despite persuasions by the fellow lawmakers to reconsider his decision.
A meeting was held at Abdullah residence to discuss the issue, after which he was accompanied by his father Farooq Abdullah to Governor's office to submit the resignation.
Beigh, the opposition leader from People's Democratic Party, told a press conference after making the allegation in the House that Farooq Abdulla too is in the list.
"We are saying names of Omar Abdulla and Farooq Abdulla figurein the list named by the victims of sex scandal and CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) has not done thorough inquiry. May be Central Bureau of Investigation exonerates both," Beigh said.
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India-controlled Kashmir's top administrative official, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, listens as the opposition Peoples Democratic Party senior leader (not in photo) accuses him of being involved in 2006 sex scandal during an ongoing assembly session in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir, July 28, 2009. Omar Abdullah announced on Tuesday to resign from the post in the floor of the assembly house following allegations leveled by an opposition member of his involvement in the infamous sex scandal that rocked the region in 2006. [Javed Dar/Xinhua] |
Kashmir sex scandal broke out in March 2006 after residents in Srinagar went to police station with a pornographic CD containing some nude pictures and video grabs of a neighborhood girl.
Police investigations in the matter opened a lid of a sex ring involving bureaucrats, politicians, police and para-military officers.
The revelations infuriated people and brought Kashmir on boil. Public backlash forced the government to transfer the case to Central Bureau of Investigations for thorough probe.
The case is still sub-judice in the courts of law.
In India, a chief minister is elected while the governor is appointed by the president.
(Xinhua News Agency July 29, 2009)
