'Name Them or Apologise': BJP Hits Back at Omar Abdullah Over MLA Bribery Claims

A political confrontation erupted in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rejected Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's allegations that it was attempting to topple the National Conference (NC) government by luring its MLAs with money and political promises.

Addressing an NC workers' convention , Abdullah alleged that a BJP-linked Supreme Court lawyer had offered one of his party's MLAs from Jammu ₹20-30 crore , a ministerial berth , and a promise of restoring Jammu and Kashmir's statehood in exchange for supporting the BJP.

"Attempts are being made to break the National Conference. After greed for money and ministerial berths didn't work, the BJP is now telling my MLAs behind closed doors, 'Come with us and we will give you statehood,'" Abdullah said, adding that the MLA had personally informed him about the alleged offer.

Reacting sharply, BJP spokesperson and MLA R S Pathania termed the allegations "baseless" and demanded that Abdullah disclose the names of the MLA and BJP leader allegedly involved, along with details of when and where the offer was made. He questioned why the matter was not reported to investigating agencies if the claims were genuine.

Pathania accused the chief minister of attempting to divert attention from the NC government's alleged failures, claiming it had not fulfilled its promises and that corruption and a "transfer industry" had grown under its rule.

The BJP demanded a public apology from Abdullah and warned that it would file a defamation case if he failed to substantiate or withdraw his allegations. The party also announced a statewide campaign highlighting alleged political corruption under the NC government.

On the NC's planned protest seeking statehood , Pathania said the Centre had already assured Parliament and the Supreme Court that Jammu and Kashmir's statehood would be restored at an appropriate time.