File picture of former J&K chief minister, Omar Abdullah
Srinagar: The National Conference (NC) came down on the Union government on Thursday for Enforcement Directorate (ED) summoning former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on the J&K Bank money laundering case, IANS reported.
In its statement, J&K NC said that despite Ramzan and Delhi not being his primary residence, Abdullah reported as per the summons.
The Union government has made it a habit of misusing investigative agencies, and the summoning of Abdullah is also a step in the same direction. No political party opposing BJP has been spared, as the Centre has sent ED, CBI, NIA, and NCB against them, the statement said.
NC said that there was a time when elections were announced by the Election Commission, but it is carried out by ED nowadays. In recent years, when state elections are due, central agencies take the stage to target parties that stand as a potential challenge to the BJP.
"This summons to our Vice President is in the same vein. We have no doubt that this fishing expedition will yield no concrete results to the BJP, and the people will give a ringing endorsement to the national conference as and when required," the statement said.
"This summon is another step in the vicious vilification campaign that started even before 5th August 2019, when constitutional position holders like the then Governor were used to make slanderous accusations against opponents of the BJP, knowing full well that there was no legal recourse available to those at the receiving end of these lies," it added.
It said that Abdullah would cooperate with the investigation procedures as he is innocent and is not accused in any matter under investigation.