Peerzada demands Shoaib's resignation

Jammu, Jan 16 (UNI) Pleading not guilty in corruption charges, former Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed today demanded the resignation of Shoaib Lone, MLA, who levelled corruption charges against him.

''Mr Lone levelled fake charges of corruption on me and he should also resign as a legislator for paying amount to the conduit, Mr Peerzada said at a press conference here.

Expressing ignorance over allegations, Mr Peerzada said Shoaib Lone has admitted that he has paid Rs 40,000 to get his work done, which is equally an offence. ''If I have been termed (Shoaib Lone) as 'corrupt minister', I think, the legislator should also resign from the post for paying the bribe,'' he said.

''I resigned in favour of the government for fair enquiry into the case,'' he added.

When asked about his next move, Mr Peerzada while countering the allegations firmly said ''ibtda-e-ishq mein rota hai kya, aagey-aagey dekhiye hota hai kya. (watch what's next).'' If the MLA had personal against with him, he should have raised the issue of his father's assassination and corruption charges against him in the Assembly session held in Srinagar last year, Mr Peerzada told UNI.

''There was no use of raising the issue in the House of Legislative Assembly after nine months. Mr Lone himself is not clear about his words. He turned hostile from his own statements,'' the former education minister alleged.

Rejecting the allegations Mr Peerzada said, ''earlier two 'corruption' cases also were referred to the State Accountability Commission (SAC) against me but nothing was proved and I was given a clean chit.

UNI VBH SW VC1735