Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday alleged that attempts were being made to split the ruling National Conference (NC) by persuading its legislators to switch sides. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Speaking at the 26th death anniversary of Begum Akbar Jehan Abdullah (Madar-e-Meharban) at Hazratbal in Srinagar, Omar claimed that one National Conference MLA from the Jammu region was allegedly offered ₹20–30 crore, a ministerial post and a promise of restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood if he left the party.
“They are trying once again to break the National Conference. I have been told that one of our MLAs from Jammu was offered ₹20–30 crore, a ministerial berth and a promise of statehood if he joined them. They think people’s conscience is so cheap,” Omar said.
However, the Chief Minister did not reveal the name of the legislator or identify who had allegedly made the offer.
Omar said the National Conference had spent nearly two years trying to secure the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood through dialogue with the Central Government instead of confrontation.
“I repeatedly said we wanted to secure our rights through dialogue, not conflict. I consciously gave the Centre time to fulfil its promises. But today we are compelled to speak of protest because something has clearly changed,” he said.
The Chief Minister announced that the National Conference will hold a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on 20 July to intensify its demand for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
He said the patience shown by the people of Jammu and Kashmir should not be mistaken for weakness. Omar questioned why the Centre had not restored statehood even after the delimitation process was completed and Assembly elections were successfully held.
Referring to the Centre’s submissions before the Supreme Court during the hearings on Article 370, Omar said the Union Government had outlined a three-step roadmap consisting of delimitation, Assembly elections and the restoration of statehood.
“Delimitation has been completed, elections have been held, and the people have given us the mandate. What is our fault now? Why is the promise of restoring statehood still pending?” he asked.
Omar also challenged the Centre to clearly state whether statehood would only be restored if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formed the government in Jammu and Kashmir.
“If that is your position, have the courage to say publicly that until your party forms the government here, statehood will not be restored,” he said.
He reiterated that the National Conference would continue its campaign for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood through democratic and peaceful means while resisting any attempts to divide the party.