Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s allegation on July 11 that the Bharatiya Janata Party tried to “buy” National Conference legislators and conspire to topple his government has escalated into a bitter political row between Jammu & Kashmir’s ruling party and the BJP.
The charge, made during a party event in Srinagar, prompted a firm BJP denial and a demand that Abdullah substantiate his claims. In response, the BJP has also issued Abdullah a Rs 100 crore defamation notice over the allegations.
Tensions deepened after Abdullah, speaking in Jammu on July 12, questioned why the BJP objected to his party’s planned protest at Delhi’s Jantar-Mantar to demand restoration of Jammu & Kashmir’s statehood. “If we don’t protest at Jantar-Mantar, will we go to the USA to protest?” he asked, and later invoked US President Donald Trump in remarks critics say internationalised the issue.
BJP national spokesperson Tarun Chugh said Abdullah’s comments amounted to an attempt to internationalise Kashmir and demanded that a sedition case be registered against him.
The BJP described Abdullah’s Rs 100 crore notice as a legal response to what it terms baseless and damaging allegations. Abdullah dismissed the notice as a “love letter” from the party, accusing BJP leaders of hiding behind court notices instead of answering the substance of his claims. He said his party will respond with counter-notices.
Meanwhile, the National Conference is pressing ahead with preparations for the July 20 protest at Jantar-Mantar to press for restoration of statehood for Jammu & Kashmir. The party says it has invited more than 50 opposition and non-NDA leaders — from Congress figures including Sonia Gandhi to regional leaders such as Mamata Banerjee and others — and says all non-UPA and non-NDA parties were urged to join by NC president Farooq Abdullah. Invitations reportedly went to several regional leaders and even some who have had past associations with Kashmir’s separatist leadership.
National Conference sources say they are awaiting formal permission from the Delhi Police; Abdullah told reporters that permission has not yet been granted but the party is preparing as if it will be. The BJP, however, has accused the National Conference of staging the protest to divert attention from governance failures in Jammu & Kashmir.
Jammu BJP leader and Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma alleged the NC is grappling with internal splits and using the rally to conceal its shortcomings.
As the political row deepens, attention now turns to whether the Delhi Police will allow the Jantar-Mantar demonstration and which national leaders will attend if permission is granted. The unfolding drama — featuring mutual legal notices, demands for sedition proceedings, and a high-profile protest aimed at restoring statehood — marks a new flashpoint in Jammu & Kashmir’s political landscape.
