A major political controversy erupted in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah alleged that the BJP was attempting to destabilise the National Conference-led government by offering Rs 30 crore each to some of the party's MLAs.
While BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma claimed that several National Conference MLAs were ready to join the saffron party without any precondition or monetary inducement, one ruling party MLA alleged that he had been offered Rs 30 crore to switch his allegiance.
"What to say of offering Rs 30 crore? I want to categorically make it clear that many National Conference MLAs are ready to join the BJP without any preconditions," Sunil Sharma told reporters.
"As of now, the BJP is not ready to induct National Conference MLAs," he added.
Claiming that discontent was growing within the ruling party, Sharma said, "After Chief Minister Omar Abdullah launched his sons into politics, there is a feeling among National Conference MLAs that the fourth generation of the Abdullah family is going to rule over them. Therefore, many of them are ready to leave the party."
He further said he would disclose the names of those National Conference MLAs at an appropriate time.
"The new generation of the National Conference wants to free itself from the yoke of the Abdullah family's dynastic politics," Sharma added.
Meanwhile, BJP national spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi termed Omar Abdullah's allegations "irresponsible and baseless".
He demanded that the chief minister either produce concrete evidence to support his claims or issue a public apology.
Trivedi alleged that Omar Abdullah was making unsubstantiated allegations to divert attention from the failures and alleged misgovernance of his own government.
"Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has made a highly irresponsible and condemnable statement by making the baseless allegation that the BJP is attempting to poach MLAs from his party. The BJP's J&K unit has strongly condemned this statement and has directly asked him to either provide evidence or apologise," Trivedi said.
Deputy Chief Minister backs Omar Abdullah's allegation
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary strongly backed Omar Abdullah's claims, alleging that the BJP's entire political foundation is built on "lies".
"Tell me, when has the BJP ever spoken the truth? The BJP's politics is built on lies. They came to power in 2014 on the basis of lies, returned in 2019, and again in 2024. Their foundation has always been lies. Omar Abdullah is not one of those leaders who make false claims. He verifies the facts before making any statement," Choudhary said.
The Deputy Chief Minister further said that the Chief Minister's remarks would compel the people of Jammu and Kashmir to reflect on the BJP's political intentions in the region.
"This statement will make the people of Jammu and Kashmir think about what the BJP really wants. Elections in Jammu and Kashmir were held under the laws enacted by Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar. The National Conference government, led by Omar Abdullah, is an elected government, not a nominated one. It was chosen by the people under the country's constitutional framework," he added.
I was approached to quit NC: Larmi
Joining the controversy, National Conference MLA Abdul Majeed Larmi claimed that he had been approached by some individuals to leave the party.
"I do not want to disclose their names, but it is true that I was approached two or three times. They told me they already had the support of 20 MLAs and promised me everything if I joined them," Larmi said.
