SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of attempting to engineering a split in the ruling National Conference (NC) to topple his government.
Addressing a rally in Srinagar, Abdullah claimed that the BJP is using money, ministerial portfolios, and promises of statehood to allure NC legislators. He stated that an MLA from Jammu had personally informed him about a lucrative offer made by a BJP leader.
“God is my witness, an MLA from Jammu told me that a BJP office-bearer, who is also a Supreme Court advocate, sought his support. In return, he was offered ₹20-30 crore, a ministerial berth, and statehood. They think the trust of the people is so weak,” Abdullah said.
The Chief Minister asserted that NC lawmakers would not sell their integrity for ₹20 crore or even ₹100 crore. He added that when monetary allurements failed, BJP leaders began approaching his MLAs behind closed doors, asking them to defect in exchange for the restoration of statehood.
Abdullah also issued a stern warning to the Centre regarding the delay in restoring J&K’s statehood, stating that his patience should not be mistaken for weakness. He announced that the National Conference, along with its political allies, will stage a demonstration at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar starting July 20.
Questioning the central government, Abdullah asked why a ruling party in Jammu and Kashmir is being forced to protest at Jantar Mantar even after being in power for over a year and a half. He noted that he had risked his political career and reputation by choosing dialogue over violence to secure the region’s rights, but the current situation has left them with no option.
The Chief Minister alleged that the assembly election victory has become a “punishment” for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, accusing the Centre of stalling the elected government’s functioning.
“If you won’t let the government work, why did you let us form it? What is the use? You should not have held elections at all,” Abdullah said. He accused the BJP-led central government of controlling the administration through the Raj Bhavan, using the Lieutenant Governor’s office to dismiss employees and carry out bulldozer drives.
Following the abrogation of Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir was stripped of its statehood and bifurcated into two Union Territories under the direct control of the Home Ministry. While relations between the NC government and the Centre initially appeared stable after the assembly polls, the latest confrontation marks a significant escalation.
