I remain apprehensive lest my words should annoy New Delhi: J&K Guv Satya Pal Malik

In the wake of the ongoing political turmoil, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satyapal Malik on Tuesday stirred a controversy by saying that the position of Governor is weak and he is not even allowed to hold press conference.

Malik on Tuesday said the position of a Governor in the country is very weak as he does not have the right to hold a press conference or talk his heart out.

This comes amid reports that he is the front runner for the post of J&K’s first Lieutenant Governor.

He also reiterated his statement that a section of wealthy people in the country are like "rotten potatoes" because they do not do charity or come forward to help improve the education system.

"The Governor is a weak entity. He does not have the right to hold a press conference or talk his heart out. I remain apprehensive for almost three days hoping that my words have not annoyed anyone in Delhi," Malik said, addressing the seventh convocation of the Mata Vaishno Devi University in Katra town of Reasi district.

However, this is not the first time that Malik has stirred up a controversy with his comments.

In July this year, Malik said that terrorists should gun down those who have looted the country and their state, Jammu and Kashmir.

"The biggest disease in Kashmir is corruption...These youth with guns, they are killing PSOs and SPOs for no reason, why are you killing them? Kill those who have looted your country and all the wealth from Kashmir, have you killed anyone out of them? Nothing will be achieved by this," Malik said while addressing a gathering at the inaugural event of Kargil Ladakh Tourism Festival in Kargil.

When his comments created a political storm, Malik clarified that whatever he said was in a "fit of anger".

"Many of the political leaders and top bureaucrats are steeped in corruption here, they are criminals. As a Governor I should have avoided making such a comment, but as an individual this is what I feel," he added.

The Governor called former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah a "political juvenile" after Abdullah criticised him over his statement on Sunday.

In August, in the wake of abrogation of Article 370 and complete lockdown in Jammu and Kashmir, Malik offered free air tickets to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to travel to Kashmir and back to “see for yourself” that everything was “normal” in the Valley.

However, when Rahul Gandhi accepted the “invitation” and travelled to Srinagar, paying his own air fare”, he was not allowed to move out of Srinagar airport.

Satya Pal Malik said that the Congress leader was politicising his “invitation”.

A few days later he came out with his reading that people will “never forgive” Congress party for supporting Article 370 and will “beat them up with shoes”.

In June this year, he accused the media of “overhyping” Jammu and Kashmir related issues.