BJP Jammu and Kashmir president Ravinder Raina’s remarks on the former Governor N.N. Vohra and his successor Satya Pal Malik evoked sharp reaction in the Valley on Thursday.
In a video that went viral online, Mr. Raina boasts about replacing Mr. Vohra, saying apni hi dafli bajata tha [Would play his own tune]” and said Mr. Malik was “the BJP’s own man.” Ab Jo Governor Aya Hai Woh Hamara Banda Hai [The Governor who has taken over is our man].”
The Peoples Democratic Party, once an ally of the BJP, called Mr. Raina’s remarks “ludicrous.”
“He has not only undermined the constitutional authority of the State but has also tried to belittle the office of Governor,” general secretary Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura said. The PDP, he said, was of the opinion that the office of Governor is impartial and functions without prejudice or partiality.
Meanwhile, Mr. Malik called for giving a renewed push to the “Mission on Delivering Governance” and “Mission on Delivering Development” to bring the State back on course.