BJP sends legal notice to CM Omar Abdullah over ‘Rs 30 crore offer’ claim, threatens Rs 100 crore defamation suit

SRINAGAR: The Bharatiya Janata Party Monday served a legal notice to Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah over his allegation that a BJP representative approached a National Conference legislator from Jammu with an offer of Rs 20 crore to Rs 30 crore, a ministerial berth and the restoration of statehood if he switched allegiance to the BJP.The notice was sent by the office of BJP spokesperson and senior advocate Sunil Sethi on behalf of J&K BJP president Sat Sharma.The notice describes Omar’s allegations as “false, baseless and defamatory,” saying they have harmed the BJP’s reputation. It demands that the chief minister issue an unconditional public apology within seven days and “immediately cease and desist from making or repeating any false or defamatory statements” against the party.The notice further states that if Omar fails to comply within the stipulated period, the BJP will initiate appropriate civil and criminal proceedings before a competent court.It said the party would seek Rs 100 crore in damages for defamation, pursue criminal defamation proceedings and avail itself of any other remedies provided under law. The notice has been sent through email.The notice said “on July 11, the chief minister “made false, baseless, and defamatory allegations against my client during a convention in Srinagar that the office bearer, functionary of my client had approached some NC MLA’s of Jammu region with offers of Rs 20-30 crores, a ministerial berth as bribe and restoration of statehood to switch side to BJP.“That you have further made allegations that a Senior BJP functionary/office bearer who is also a Lawyer practicing in Supreme court of India has offered bribe to NC MLA’s,” the notice reads.The notice has called the allegations as “entirely untrue, malicious, and without any factual basis.” It says it “has seriously harmed my client’s reputation, dignity, and standing in society and have caused immense damage to image of my client in public.”It says “allegations have been made without any basis, without any proof. It said allegations are absolutely false and have been made intentionally and wilfully to harm the reputation of my client in the eyes of public.”On July 11, days ahead of National Conference’s (NC) planned protest at Jantar Mantar for the restoration of J&K’s statehood, Omar Abdullah accused the centre of making fun patience of people of J&K and ignoring statehood demand of the NC while ready to grant Article 371 safeguard to Ladakh.Omar also alleged that one of his party legislators had been offered inducements by a BJP leader. “A BJP functionary, who is also a Supreme Court lawyer, approached one of our MLAs from Jammu and offered Rs 20 crore to Rs 30 crore, a ministerial berth and the promise of statehood if he joined them,” Omar alleged.The CM said he has been in office for 18 months and in all these months he wanted to secure “rights through patience, not protests,” but he is being forced to protest at Jantar Mantar. “The Centre told the Supreme Court there would be a three-step process, delimitation, elections and then restoration of statehood. Delimitation has taken place. Elections have also been held. What is our fault if the people of J&K elected us to govern,” Omar added.“Our electoral victory is now being used to punish the people of J&K,” he said. He said if the Centre believes the ‘right time’ to restore statehood is only when the BJP comes to power in J&K, then it should have the courage to say so openly.“At least then the people of Jammu and Kashmir will not remain under the illusion that the promise of restoring statehood will be fulfilled,” the CM had added.