Srinagar: The BJP on Monday escalated its attack on Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah by serving him a legal notice over his allegation that a BJP office-bearer offered ₹20–30 crore to one of his MLAs to defect, while senior BJP leader Tarun Chugh demanded a sedition case against him over his recent remarks on Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
According to the legal notice, issued by advocate Parimoksh Seth on behalf of J&K BJP president Sat Paul Sharma, Omar Abdullah’s allegations were described as “entirely untrue, malicious and without any factual basis.” The notice demanded that the Chief Minister withdraw his statement in writing and issue an unconditional public apology within seven days, failing which the BJP said it would initiate civil and criminal defamation proceedings, including a ₹100-crore damages suit.
Meanwhile, BJP National General Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Chugh accused Omar Abdullah of attempting to “internationalise” an internal matter by referring to a foreign leader while speaking on Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
Calling the remarks “highly unfortunate” and reflective of a “dangerous political mindset,” Chugh said Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and that any decision on restoration of statehood would be taken strictly within the framework of the Constitution.
He further alleged that Omar Abdullah was indulging in “anti-national activities” by seeking to give an international colour to an internal issue and demanded that a sedition case be registered against the Chief Minister. Chugh also accused the National Conference of diverting attention from governance issues through “baseless allegations” and “political theatrics.”
Referring to Omar Abdullah’s allegations that BJP leaders tried to poach NC legislators, Chugh said the claims reflected a lack of confidence in his own party and leadership, asserting that the people of Jammu and Kashmir had rejected “the politics of separatism, confusion and dynastic privilege” in favour of peace, development and national integration.
[With inputs from KNO and KNT]
