Omar Abdullah Raises Defection Allegation; BJP Dismisses Claim

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has alleged that a National Conference MLA was offered Rs 20-30 crore, a ministerial position and a promise of restoration of statehood in exchange for joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The allegation has been rejected by the BJP, which termed the claim baseless and demanded evidence from the Chief Minister.

Addressing a public gathering in Srinagar, Abdullah claimed that the alleged offer was made during a closed-door meeting between the MLA and a Supreme Court lawyer associated with the BJP. He said the legislator personally informed him about the conversation and alleged that the incident was part of attempts to weaken the elected government in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Chief Minister said the National Conference would not compromise its principles and asserted that its legislators could not be influenced through such offers. He maintained that party MLAs remained committed to the public mandate and would continue to support the elected administration.

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Responding to Abdullah’s allegations, senior BJP leader Ravinder Raina dismissed the claims as false and misleading. He said the Chief Minister should make any evidence public if he had proof to support his allegations. The BJP maintained that the accusations were without factual basis.

During his address, Abdullah also raised the issue of delayed restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. He questioned why the Centre had not fulfilled its commitment despite an elected government being in place for nearly 18 months. He said his administration had followed a path of dialogue rather than confrontation and had given the Centre adequate time to act.

Abdullah recalled that the Centre had outlined a three-stage process for normalising the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, beginning with delimitation. While criticising the process and alleging that it benefited a particular political party and its allies, he said his party accepted it in the hope that statehood would eventually be restored. He reiterated that restoring statehood was a democratic right of the people and urged the Centre to fulfil its commitment without further delay.

Also Read: Omar Abdullah Says BJP Tried Buying National Conference MLAs With Rs 20-30 Crore Offers