Jammu and Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik (File photo)

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik said on Monday that he withdrew his invitation to Rahul Gandhi to visit the Valley for a “first-hand appraisal” on realising that the Congress leader was "playing politics" with it.

In a statement issued two days after an Opposition delegation led by Rahul was sent back from Srinagar airport, the governor said: "I want to make it clear that when I had invited Rahul Gandhi to visit Jammu and Kashmir, my intention was to ensure he refrains from making baseless statements."

Malik accused Rahul of not helping anyone's cause by showing up with a host of Opposition leaders in tow, knowing that their presence might trigger trouble in the Valley. His stated intention of meeting political leaders in detention and interacting with the media was also seen as a potential threat to law and order, the governor said.

"When Rahul Gandhi played such kind of politics with my invitation, I withdrew it. It was then the prerogative of the administration to decide whether Rahul Gandhi should visit Kashmir or not. The administration had made it clear beforehand that at a time when we are making all-out efforts to maintain peace in the Valley, no politician should come to make a breach."

According to Malik, the Congress leader has been making "false statements on the situation in Kashmir" to create more obstacles for the administration.

“I want to tell Rahul Gandhi that such statements made by him are being used by Pakistan against India,” he said. “He should understand that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir is fragile, and his statements harm national interest. I want to urge him to keep national interest (as his) top priority rather than using the sensitive issue for his cheap politics."

