Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Wednesday said ex-army chief V.K. Singh's allegations have put state politicians in a very difficult position.

 

 He asserted that the allegations should be thoroughly probed.

 

 After his arrival here from New Delhi, Abdullah told reporters: "The allegations by V.K. Singh have put mainstream political parties in a very difficult position.

 

 "I am formally taking up the issue with the government of India. So far as the issue  of Ghulam Hassan Mir is concerned, it should be left to me and my alliance partners in the Congress."

 

 A  report carried by the "Indian Express" had said state Agriculture Minister Ghulam  Hassan Mir received Rs.1.19 crore from the army's secret funds in 2010 to topple the Omar Abdullah-headed coalition government.

 

 Mir, in a signed statement issued here Wednesday, said he was offering himself to a fair and time-bound probe into the allegations.

 

 He also said the allegations were levelled to dent his integrity and popularity among the people.

 

 The chief minister said Singh's allegations were extremely unfortunate. Singh had  said the army has funded ministers in Jammu and Kashmir for decades.

 

 "It's extremely unfortunate. Most of us have no financial dealings whatsoever with the  army," Abdullah told reporters. "These statements and accusations only cause us great difficulty here."

 

 He demanded "a thorough inquiry" into the matter, saying there was an attempt to vilify all mainstream political parties in Kashmir.

 

 "I believe these accusations cannot be dismissed off-hand, they require further investigation", Omar said.

 

 Gen Singh Tuesday said army was funding ministers in the state "since (India's) independence" to maintain peace in the Kashmir Valley.

 

 The ruling National Conference (NC) challenged Singh to reveal the names of the ministers he believed received the army's secret funds failing which NC would file a defamation suit against him.

 

 Separatists have been using the allegations to up their ante against the mainstream  political leaders alleging these people represented the democratic face of India's occupation of Kashmir.

 

IANS