Rajnath Singh defends former J&K governor

New Delhi/Srinagar: Home minister Rajnath Singh on Friday defended the functioning of former Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra in wake of BJP’s State unit chief Ravinder Rana apparently making some adverse comments against Mr Vohra in a video. The chief of Jammu and Kashmir unit of Bharatiya Janata Party Ravinder Raina who had stirred controversy with his remarks that the State’s newly appointed Governor Satya Pal Malik was “our own man" and that his party did not want his predecessor N.N. Vohra to continue on Friday met the former at Raj Bhavan. However, rejecting the claims Mr Singh clarified on Friday that Mr Vohra had performed all his duties with distinction and maintained the constitutional dignity.

Mr Singh in a statement said, “N N Vohra was an outstanding officer and as a governor, he performed with distinction and maintained the constitutional dignity. People of J&K appreciated the role of Vohra for 10 years.’’ He also expressed hope that people of J&K will benefit from Mr Malik’s experience.  In the video Mr Raina also apparently said that Mr Vohra would only highlight his own achievements in the State rather than addressing the core issues. Mr Vohra was replaced by Satya Pal Malik who Mr Singh claimed has had a long political career. Mr Vohra has been a seasoned bur-eaucrat being a former former Union Home and Defence Secretary. besides being a principal secretary to the former Prime Minister I K Gujral.