Srinagar: A day after PDP leader Mohd Dilawar Mir was sentenced to three years in jail in a corruption case, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said the opposition party had evolved as “an amalgam of swindlers of all colours and shapes”.
Addressing party workers from Sonawar constituency here, Omar said “PDP had evolved as an amalgam of swindlers of all colours and shapes and the conviction of PDP general secretary by a CBI court in a case of graft yesterday showcases PDP's true character and goal in politics”.
Omar, the National Conference working president, said PDP leaders had been found involved in “robbing everything” from rice to land to apples to forests and now to fertilizers.
“However, knowing PDP's penchant for corruption and embezzlement, I wouldn't be surprised if (PDP patron) Mufti (Mohammad) Sayeed and his ‘consultants on corruption' soon find a way to embezzle atmospheric air as well,” he said.
Omar said PDP leaders have not only “stolen” rice meant for the poor and needy but also “stolen” the rice-bags meant to distribute that rice.
“Such is the outstanding caliber of PDP's choicest new faces in politics. Lo and behold, today they have officially been honored with a gold medal of corruption in stealing fertilizers and that is a new addition to the list of rice, windfall apples, forests and custodian land,” he said.
The Chief Minister said unlike PDP, his party holds its leaders and minister to the highest standards of honesty and accountability.
Senior PDP leader Mir was sentenced to three years by a Delhi court yesterday in a case related to wrongful release of Rs 30 lakh and contract for sale of urea to his firm by public sector National Fertilizers Limited in 1993-1996.
67-year-old Mir, general secretary of PDP, was named by his party as a candidate for the upcoming polls from Rafiabad seat of North Kashmir.
Though Mir got bail and his sentence has been suspended till January two, 2015, he will not be able to contest the forthcoming elections.
