Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday alleged that attempts were being made to engineer defections in the ruling National Conference (NC), claiming that one of the party’s legislators from Jammu was offered Rs 20–30 crore, a ministerial berth and a promise of statehood to switch sides.
Addressing party workers during the 26th death anniversary of Begum Akbar Jehan Abdullah (Madar-e-Meharban) at Hazratbal, Omar said such efforts were aimed at weakening the National Conference but asserted that the party would not succumb to political pressure.
“They are trying once again to break the National Conference. I have been told that one of our MLAs from Jammu was offered Rs 20–30 crore, a ministerial berth and a promise of statehood if he joined them. They think people’s conscience is so cheap,” Omar alleged.
The Chief Minister, however, did not name the legislator or identify those allegedly behind the offer.
Referring to the party’s approach towards the Centre, Omar said the National Conference had spent nearly two years seeking the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood through dialogue rather than 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.
Announcing that the National Conference would hold a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 20, Omar said the party would peacefully intensify its demand for the restoration of statehood.
He said Jammu and Kashmir’s patience should not be mistaken for weakness and questioned why the promise of restoring statehood remained unfulfilled despite the completion of the delimitation process and Assembly elections.
Recalling the Centre’s submissions before the Supreme Court during the Article 370 proceedings, Omar said the government had outlined a three-step roadmap comprising delimitation, Assembly elections and 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.
The Chief Minister also challenged the Centre to clearly state whether the restoration of statehood was contingent upon a change in the political dispensation in Jammu and Kashmir.
“If that is your position, have the courage to say publicly that until your party (BJP) forms the government here, statehood will not be restored,” he said.
Omar maintained that the National Conference would continue to pursue the restoration of statehood through democratic and peaceful means while resisting any attempts to divide the party.
Questioning the functioning of the elected government, Omar said if key decisions continued to be taken from Raj Bhavan, there was little purpose in holding elections.
“If everything has to be run from Raj Bhavan, if employees are to be dismissed and all major decisions taken there, then why were elections held? Why were we brought into government with our hands tied behind our backs?” he said.
He also recalled that she witnessed Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah being jailed, saw the National Conference split in 1984, yet never abandoned the path of patience.
“The biggest lesson she taught us was that patience is not weakness. It does not mean we will stop raising our voice for our rights. If anyone mistakes our patience for weakness, they are mistaken. Our patience is our strength and, God willing, it will become our victory,” he said.
He added, “Our demand is simple: restore the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir. Our patience remains, but it should never be mistaken for surrender,” he added.—(KNO)
