With his claim that some ministers in Jammu and Kashmir were paid to buy stability, former Army chief V K Singh has opened a "can of worms" and has undermined the legitimacy of successive governments in the state since 1947, moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said.
"General V K Singh's statement, that paying ministers was nothing new in Jammu and Kashmir and that it has been happening since 1947, has completely undermined the legitimacy of successive representative governments in the state since 1947," Mirwaiz said in a statement.
Mirwaiz said General Singh has opened a "can of worms" and brought to fore the "truth of Kashmir".
He alleged it is now clear that whosoever is "installed by Delhi to rule the state" has to be "hand in glove with the Army establishment".
"In fact, they (rulers) have to follow their (Army) diktat and further their objective and agenda," he claimed.
The separatist leader also said those who raise hue and cry about the revocation of AFSPA from the state actually "collaborate" in the continuance of these laws.
"Their double speak is clearly exposed and their true colours seen," he said.