Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to destabilize his government by engineering defections within the National Conference. Speaking at a workers' convention in Srinagar on Saturday, the Chief Minister claimed that a BJP office-bearer, who is also a Supreme Court lawyer, approached one of his party's MLAs from the Jammu region with significant inducements. According to Abdullah, the legislator was offered between ₹20 crore and ₹30 crore, a ministerial berth, and the promise of restored statehood for Jammu and Kashmir in exchange for switching sides.
The Chief Minister stated that these attempts to lure his party members have been ongoing, noting that when initial offers of money and positions failed, the BJP began using the promise of statehood as a bargaining chip behind closed doors. Abdullah expressed strong confidence in his legislators, asserting that none of them would compromise their integrity for financial gain. He emphasized that his party remains committed to the mandate given by the people and warned the central government against testing the patience of his administration.
In response, the BJP has categorically rejected the allegations, labeling them as baseless, misleading, and politically motivated. Senior BJP leader Ravinder Raina and party spokesperson R.S. Pathania demanded that the Chief Minister either produce concrete evidence to support his claims or issue an unconditional public apology. The BJP warned that it would consider initiating legal proceedings if the allegations remain unsubstantiated. The party further argued that the Chief Minister is using these claims to divert public attention from his government's alleged failures in governance and its inability to fulfill promises made to the public.