Facing flak for his alleged role in Kishtwar communal violence, Jammu and Kashmir Minister of State for Home Sajad Kitchloo today resigned, saying he is pained by the accusations made at him only for "petty" political gains.
Governor N N Vohra accepted the resignation of Kitchloo, who said he was inncoent but was stepping down since he did not want to cast a shadow on an independent probe. Kitchloo is a National Conference MLA from Kishtwar.
"On the advice of Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister, Governor N N Vohra has accepted the resignation of Sajad Ahmad Kitchloo, minister of state, from the state council of ministers with immediate effect," a spokesman of the Raj Bhavan said in a statement here.
Kitchloo had earlier submitted his resignation to the Chief Minister pending the outcome of the judicial probe ordered by the state government.
"I have received Sajad Kitchloo's resignation asking to be relieved of his responsibilities pending the outcome of the judicial inquiry," Omar wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter.
"I am forwarding the same to the Governor with the recommendation that it be accepted," he added.
BJP and some Congress leaders had demanded that Kitchloo be removed from the ministry pending an impartial inquiry on his alleged role in the Kishtwar riots which has claimed the lives of three people.
"I want the truth to come out...My conscience does not allow me to continue as a minister till probe ends. I am resigning so that my presence does not cast a shadow on an independent probe," Kitchloo said in a statement.
He, however, maintained that he was innocent and had done nothing wrong.
"My conscience is clear, my electorate in Kishtwar vouch for my secular credentials and I am deeply hurt that some people have stooped so low as to accuse me of something I have not done, only for petty political gains," he said.
Kitchloo also said he took strong exception to the remarks by Arun Jaitley regarding his alleged role.
"...It is widely perceived that a Minister of (state) government who belongs to Kishtwar town is behind this," Jaitley said yesterday without naming Kitchloo on his return to Delhi after he was stopped at Jammu airport and prevented from visiting the affected people.
"I take strong exception to what Arun Jaitley said, Did Modi resign after Godhra, what happened to Amit Shah who is now the star campaigner of BJP in Uttar Pradesh. Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones on others," he added.
