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CM Omar Abdullah said the MLA rejected the offer and asserted that the BJP would not be allowed to come to power in Jammu and Kashmir “through the back door”.
The Omar Abdullah-led government currently enjoys a comfortable majority in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. (PTI file photo)
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday accused the BJP of attempting to engineer defections in the ruling alliance by allegedly offering National Conference (NC) legislators money, ministerial positions and assurances on statehood restoration.
Addressing a gathering in Srinagar, Abdullah claimed that a BJP functionary approached one of the NC’s legislators from Jammu with an offer of Rs 20-30 crore, a ministerial berth and support for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood in exchange for switching sides.
“A BJP official, a Supreme Court lawyer, told one of my Jammu MLAs in a closed room, ‘We will give Rs 20 to 30 crore, one ministry, and statehood. You walk with us.’ Do they think that the faith of these people is so cheap?” Abdullah alleged.
The Chief Minister said the MLA rejected the offer and asserted that the BJP would not be allowed to come to power in Jammu and Kashmir “through the back door”.
“BJP people, don’t consider us so weak. There will be no entry for you from the back door. You will not come to the front chair from the back door. Currently, the people have kept you behind, and you will remain behind,” he said.
Abdullah also reiterated that the National Conference’s proposed protest in New Delhi on July 20, demanding the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, would go ahead despite delays in securing official permission.
The NC has invited 52 political leaders, including current and former legislators from different parties, to participate in the protest at Jantar Mantar.
Congress Backs Omar’s Allegations
Abdullah’s allegations drew support from Congress leaders, whose party is an ally of the National Conference in the Jammu and Kashmir government.
Congress leader Salman Soz questioned the BJP over the alleged offer made to NC legislators.
“Chief Minister Omar Abdullah says that the BJP is attempting to split his party. He alleges that an MLA was offered Rs 30 crore and a ministerial berth. Will Prime Minister Narendra Modi explain why his party is engaging in such corrupt practices?” Soz asked.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also weighed in, saying such allegations reflected “the Modi-Shah toolkit and their standard operating practice”.
BJP Says Omar Abdullah’s Allegations ‘Baseless’
The BJP dismissed Abdullah’s allegations as “baseless” and said it is an attempt to spread confusion among the people.
“Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has made completely baseless allegations. The Bharatiya Janata Party, the Central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Home Minister Amit Shah have always supported Jammu and Kashmir. Omar Abdullah himself has acknowledged this several times. But today, by mentioning amounts of ₹20 crore and ₹30 crore and alleging that individual MLAs…Omar Abdullah has made baseless allegations,” BJP leader Ravinder Raina said.
The Numbers In J&K Assembly
The Omar Abdullah-led government currently enjoys a comfortable majority in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly.
The ruling alliance has the support of 52 MLAs, comprising:
National Conference: 41
Congress: 6
CPI(M): 1
Independents: 4
In the 95-member Assembly, including five nominated members, the majority mark stands at 48.
The BJP is the principal opposition party with 29 MLAs, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has four seats. The remaining seats are held by smaller parties and independents.
About the Author
Saurabh Verma is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com, specializing in Indian politics, national current affairs, and breaking global news. With years of experience tracking power shifts, election strateg…Read More
Srinagar, India, India
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