I didn't pay money to Omar, Farooq: NC worker

Srinagar: National Conference worker Mohammad Yousuf Bhat, who said he had allegedly paid Rs 84 lakh to his party colleague Syed Mohammad Yousuf for a berth as MLC, on Friday claimed he did not pay any money to either Chief Minister Omar Abdullah or Union Minister Farooq Abdullah.

"I paid money to Syed Yousuf but I cannot say that it was for Omar Abdullah or Dr Farooq. It is a fact I paid money to Syed Yousuf for getting MLC berth," Bhat said.

Bhat was one of the three persons summoned by the Chief Minister on September 29 to his residence in connection with allegations of political pay-offs but had not spoken to media following death of Yousuf, who was accused of taking money from him and another person, Abdul Salam Reshi.

Bhat declined to comment on the events that transpired at Chief Minister's residence when Omar had summoned the deceased, Reshi and him.

"Whatever I have to say I will say before judicial commission. People know what truth is," he said without elaborating.