Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of attempting to topple the state government by engineering a split in the National Conference. Speaking at an event marking the 26th death anniversary of his grandmother Akbar Jehan at Hazratbal, Omar claimed that one of his party's MLAs was offered Rs 20-30 crore to switch sides.
Allegations of bribery and ministerial offer
Omar stated that the BJP had tried to lure NC legislators with money and ministerial berths. When that failed, he said, the BJP resorted to promising statehood. “Attempts are being made to break the National Conference. When offering money and ministerial berths didn't work, the BJP is now telling my MLAs behind closed doors that 'come with us and we will give you the statehood',” he claimed.
The NC vice-president further alleged that an NC MLA from Jammu informed him that a BJP office-bearer, who is also a Supreme Court lawyer, had offered him Rs 20-30 crore, a ministerial berth, and statehood to switch sides.
BJP rejects allegations as baseless
The BJP dismissed Omar's accusations as misleading and baseless. J&K BJP senior leader Ravinder Raina challenged the chief minister to provide evidence. “If the CM was speaking the truth, he should place the facts and evidence in public domain,” Raina said.
Omar expresses faith in MLAs
Omar expressed confidence in his party legislators, stating, “Do not consider us so weak. There is not a single legislator on the stage who will sell his integrity for Rs 20 crore, or even Rs 100 crore... You (BJP) will not be able to come to the front seat through the back door. For now, people have kept you in the back seat. You will remain there.”
Criticism of Centre's handling of J&K
The chief minister also criticized the central government for not allowing the state government to function effectively. “Why did you make a government, if you don’t let them work? If you had to harass people through the Raj Bhavan, dismiss employees, run bulldozers and do all these things, why did you bring us forward?” he asked.
On the issue of statehood, Omar warned that his patience should not be mistaken for weakness. He noted that he had risked his political future by advocating dialogue with the Centre, but the BJP was not fulfilling its promises. He contrasted the Centre's willingness to offer protections under Article 371 to Ladakh with its refusal to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. “The same BJP people who are ready to give 371 to Ladakh tell us we will not even get the statehood,” he said.
The NC has planned a protest in Delhi demanding the restoration of statehood, which was revoked in August 2019 when the region was reorganized into two union territories.
