The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has served a Rs 100 crore defamation notice on Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over his allegation that the party tried to lure National Conference (NC) MLAs with money, ministerial posts and a promise to restore statehood.
The legal notice, issued on behalf of J&K BJP president and Rajya Sabha MP Sat Sharma, asks Abdullah to either produce evidence supporting his claims or issue an unconditional public apology within seven days. The party has warned that it will initiate civil and criminal defamation proceedings if he fails to do so.
The BJP said Abdullah’s remarks were “false, baseless and defamatory” and had damaged the party’s reputation after being widely circulated in the media and on social media.
Omar Abdullah’s Allegations
The controversy began after Abdullah addressed a National Conference workers’ convention at Hazratbal in Srinagar on the 26th death anniversary of his grandmother, Akbar Jehan.
He alleged that attempts were being made to break his party and claimed that one of the NC MLAs was approached by a BJP leader and a Supreme Court lawyer with an offer of Rs 20–30 crore, a ministerial berth and restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood in exchange for joining the BJP.
“They offered Rs 20–30 crore, a ministerial post and statehood if the MLA switched sides,” Abdullah claimed, adding that the MLAs had rejected the alleged offers.
He said the attempts to destabilise his government would not succeed.
BJP Rejects Claims
Rejecting the allegations, the BJP said Abdullah had failed to provide any evidence to support his accusations.
The party demanded that he reveal the identity of the BJP leader he referred to or withdraw his statement and apologise publicly.
BJP leaders also questioned why no police complaint or FIR had been filed if any MLA had actually received such an offer.
The party alleged that the chief minister was making the accusations to divert attention from governance issues and criticism faced by his government.
Political Tensions Ahead of Statehood Protest
The exchange comes as the National Conference intensifies its campaign for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. The party has announced a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on July 20, coinciding with the start of Parliament’s Monsoon Session.
The BJP has criticised the protest and rejected the NC’s invitation to participate, saying the campaign is politically motivated.
The latest confrontation has further escalated political tensions in Jammu and Kashmir, with both parties standing by their positions. While the BJP insists Omar Abdullah must substantiate his allegations or apologise, the chief minister has maintained that attempts were made to lure NC legislators and undermine his government.
