![Omar Alleges Bid to Split NC, Claims MLA Offered ₹20–30 Crore to Defect Srinagar, July 11, KNT: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to destabilize the National Conference-led government, alleging that one of his party's legislators from the Jammu region was offered between ₹20 crore and ₹30 crore, a ministerial berth and political assurances to defect in what he described as a failed bid to engineer a split in the ruling party. Addressing a gathering after paying tributes to Begum Akbar Jehan at Naseem Bagh, Omar claimed the offer was allegedly conveyed through a Supreme Court lawyer associated with the BJP, who, according to him, assured the legislator that statehood would be restored if he switched allegiance. Declaring that the National Conference would not succumb to pressure or inducements, the Chief Minister warned the BJP against attempting to enter government through what he termed "the back door", asserting that the party's patience should never be misconstrued as weakness. Turning his attack towards the Centre, Omar questioned why an elected government was being forced to stage a protest in New Delhi nearly two years after assuming office merely to seek restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood. He said he had deliberately adopted the path of dialogue instead of confrontation, despite being aware that the approach would invite political criticism within Jammu and Kashmir. "I staked my political credibility on the assurance that the promises made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir would be honoured. I believed dialogue would succeed where confrontation would not. Unfortunately, our patience has been rewarded with continued delay," he said. The Chief Minister as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust reminded the Centre that it had assured the Supreme Court that statehood would be restored after the completion of delimitation and Assembly elections. Both processes, he said, had concluded, yet the commitment remained unfulfilled. Questioning the delimitation exercise, Omar alleged that Jammu and Kashmir had witnessed a politically motivated exercise designed to benefit the BJP. Despite what he termed an attempt to tilt the electoral balance, he said the electorate had defeated those designs by handing the National Conference a decisive mandate. "Our victory has become our punishment," he remarked, questioning why elections were held if the intention was to continue governing Jammu and Kashmir through Raj Bhavan instead of respecting the mandate of an elected government. Escalating his criticism, Omar alleged that the Centre had responded positively to political demands from Ladakh while ignoring similar concerns raised by the elected government in Jammu and Kashmir. He claimed that while Ladakh was being engaged on constitutional safeguards, Jammu and Kashmir continued to be denied even routine administrative powers, including the appointment of officers. The Chief Minister said he had repeatedly raised the issue of statehood with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah but was consistently told that restoration would take place at an "appropriate time." "What is this appropriate time? Tell us what more remains to be done. If the appropriate time means the formation of a BJP government in Jammu and Kashmir, then say so openly before Parliament and the people," he said. Rejecting criticism over the National Conference's decision to invite political parties and civil society members for the proposed July 20 protest at Jantar Mantar, Omar asserted that the struggle for statehood transcended party politics. "Statehood does not belong to Omar Abdullah or Dr. Farooq Abdullah. It belongs to every citizen of Jammu and Kashmir. That is why we have invited everyone to join this movement," he said. [KNT]](https://newsagencyknt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Chief-Minister-Omar-780x470.png)
Srinagar, April 9, KNT: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the United States must restrain Israel for a ceasefire in the Middle East to hold, asserting that continued military action risks prolonging the conflict.
Speaking in Srinagar, Abdullah said that “the US must control Israel” if a ceasefire is to be sustained, while also stating that Iran “did not start the war” but had it imposed upon it.
He criticized statements made by U.S. President Donald Trump, saying they were inconsistent. “Trump himself doesn’t know what he is talking about; he changes his statements every now and then. His abusive language is not acceptable,” Abdullah said, referring to remarks on social media.
He also said that such language would not be permissible for ordinary users on social media platforms, calling for more responsible communication from leadership.
On regional diplomacy, Abdullah said Pakistan had played a role in mediation efforts. “Pakistan has done what other countries couldn’t do,” he said, adding that India could have played a similar role. He described this as his personal opinion.
Referring to the conflict’s impact, Abdullah questioned its outcome, stating, “What have we achieved from this war? Nothing. Stop bombing on Lebanon.”
On economic implications, he noted that the Strait of Hormuz was open before the conflict but now faces uncertainty, with Iran indicating potential changes to transit conditions.
Separately, on domestic issues, Abdullah questioned the implementation of the Women’s Reservation Bill, stating that while the legislation was introduced in 2024, clarity was still lacking. “We were told post census they will consider this bill. Now what has changed, let BJP clarify their stand,” he said.
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He further asked why another bill was being discussed despite the earlier passage, saying the matter needed explanation.
On environmental concerns, Abdullah highlighted shrinking water bodies in Jammu and Kashmir, attributing it to both human factors and climate change. He called it a collective responsibility to address the issue and advocated a ban on plastic bags.
“It will take collective responsibility from all of us to save our water bodies,” he said, adding that society must decide what kind of region it wants to leave for future generations.
Abdullah also said that Urban Local Body elections in Jammu and Kashmir would be conducted soon.
Earlier, the Chief Minister distributed appointment letters under the Jammu and Kashmir Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme at SKICC Srinagar. [KNT]
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